TULSA -- A Claremore doctor pleaded guilty Monday to leading multiple conspiracies to write fraudulent opioid prescriptions in an effort to support his drug habit.
Dr. Jeremy David Thomas, 42, of Owasso, was convicted of drug conspiracies in five different federal cases.
Officials said Thomas prescribed hydrocodone to multiple co-conspirators, who were his patients. The patients would fill the prescriptions and deliver the tablets to Thomas.
"I will tell you that prior to this we had no indication that Dr. Thomas was anything but a doctor with a good reputation," Brian Surber, first assistant district attorney said.
Officials said across a two-year period, Thomas and his patients diverted nearly 14,000 doses of the drug, mainly for his own personal use. Thomas had an office and practiced out of the Hillcrest hospital in Claremore.
“We need to be more aware today than ever before of the dangers of opioid addiction. The defendant, Dr. Thomas, risked the lives of his patients by performing an estimated 2,500 surgical procedures while under the influence of opioids. Dr. Thomas exploited the special Doctor-patient relationship to feed his addiction. He became a drug dealer hiding behind a medical license,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Also implicated in the drug conspiracies are Jeffrey Lee Koger, 47, of Claremore; Joseph Marcus Jones, 36, of Claremore; Toni Dawn Martin, 49, of Owasso; Shawn Del Martin, 50, of Owasso; and Chad Lee Choat, 46, of Claremore.
Thomas' sentencing is set for Feb. 28. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $2 million fine for each count of drug conspiracy and distribution.
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