From: logic23x@gmail.com   
      
   Workers at Biloxi psychiatric center accused of running prescription drug ring   
      
   Sun Herald | SunHerald.com   
      
   Top row from left, Nikita Piernas, Andrea Opoku, Tyrone Thomas, Beverly   
   Clayton, Thomas Davis. Second row from left, Thomas Williams, Brittany Payne,   
   Terry Grant, Kayla Caldwell, Marcus Price.   
   CRIME   
   JUNE 30, 2017 6:05 PM   
      
   Workers at Biloxi psychiatric center accused of running prescription drug ring   
      
   BY ROBIN FITZGERALD   
   rfitzgerald@sunherald.com   
       
       
      
   GULFPORT    
   Three health care workers at an outpatient psychiatric center in Biloxi are   
   accused of running a prescription drug ring in a conspiracy said to have   
   lasted nearly three years.   
      
   An indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court identified the three workers and   
   nine people said to have obtained fraudulent prescriptions for a variety of   
   opiods and benzodiazepines (stimulants). The drugs involved are oxycodone,   
   hydrocodone, alprazolam,    
   amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and Klonopin, according to the   
   indictment.   
      
   The health care workers were employed by Merit Health’s Gulf Oaks Outpatient   
   Center in Biloxi. They are Andrea Reene Opoku, 34; Nikita Marie Piernas, 29;   
   and Tyrone Leonard Thomas, 36.   
      
      
   A Merit Health spokeswoman declined to say if the workers had been fired or to   
   confirm their job titles. They are not believed to be doctors.   
      
   “These employees have not been on the schedule to work at the hospital for   
   some time,” said Lori Bickel, Merit Health director of marketing and   
   physician recruitment.   
      
      
   The DEA arrested Opoku, Piernas and Thomas on Wednesday.   
      
   Others arrested after indictment are Beverly Ann Clayton, 53; Brittany Jalisa   
   Payne, 27; Marcus Deshawn Price, 27; Terry O’Neal Grant, 30; Thomas Luther   
   Davis, 28; Thomas Elliott Williams, 28; and Kayla Tiara Caldwell, 26.   
      
   The two others indicted are Cauricia Williams and James Thomas Davis III, ages   
   unknown. They have not yet been brought to court, records show.   
      
   A 42-count indictment has charged each of them with conspiracy to distribute   
   or dispense controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice.   
      
   The indictment indicates Opoku led the operation by giving out prescriptions   
   unlawfully with Piernas’ help. Opoku is charged with eight counts of   
   distributing prescriptions; Piernas is charged with six counts.   
      
      
   Most of the others are charged with two or five counts of prescription fraud.   
   Tyrone Thomas is the only one with a single count of prescription fraud.   
      
   Grant and Price are held for detention hearings on July 3.   
      
   The others taken into custody have been given bonds of $25,000.   
      
   Judge Sul Ozerden has set trial on a court calendar that starts Sept. 5.   
      
   How the alleged drug ring operated and how it was uncovered remains unclear.   
      
      
   Mississippi’s Prescription Monitoring Program database is often used by   
   federal and state agents in drug cases. Pharmacists are required to use the   
   database to check for potential doctor shopping and it’s recommended that   
   doctor’s check it before    
   writing prescriptions for narcotics.   
      
   The Drug Enforcement Administration cannot discuss the case since it has been   
   turned over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, said Derryle Smith, resident   
   agent in charge of the DEA in Gulfport.   
      
   The U.S. Attorney’s Office cannot comment beyond what it is in the   
   indictment, spokeswoman Sheila Wilbanks said.   
      
   A criminal complaint, which offers details alleging probable cause for an   
   arrest, was not filed in the case.   
      
   Smith said a complaint wasn’t filed because of the number of arrests   
   involved.   
      
   Robin Fitzgerald: 228-896-2307, @robincrimenews   
      
    Tyrone Thomas Andrea Opuko Beverly Ann Clayton Brittany Jalisa Payne Kayla   
   Tiara Caldwell Marcus Deshawn Price Nikita Piernas Terry O'Neal Grant Thomas   
   Luther Davis Tyrone Thomas Andrea Opuko   
   Andrea Opuko   
   1 of 9    
      
      
      
      
   Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/crime/articl   
   159169834.html#storylink=cpy   
      
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