PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA/Gray News) – A 72-year-old doctor from Florida is facing serious allegations of operating a pill mill and trafficking narcotics and opioids across the state.
The investigation began in February 2021 after numerous complaints from pharmacists regarding unusually high amounts of oxycodone being prescribed. Authorities allege that Dr. Elaine Sharp operated a pill mill out of her office in Gulf Breeze, leading to several patient overdoses linked to medications she prescribed, according to WALA.
Agents have also arrested several individuals accused of selling drugs prescribed by Sharp, with many of them receiving prescriptions for 120 oxycodone pills a month without a legitimate medical need.
Sharp has been charged with multiple offenses, including murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawfully prescribing for monetary gain, and unlawfully prescribing drugs not medically necessary. She also faces charges for conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone and hydromorphone, along with money laundering.
The following individuals were also arrested in connection with the case, facing similar charges:
- Tammy Zell, 58, Gulf Breeze: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary, and doctor shopping.
- Cheryl Tassin, 63, Milton: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary.
- Jessica Michael, 43, Navarre: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone and hydromorphone, and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary.
- Kevin McLemore, 37, Pensacola: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary.
- Mark Heath, 63, Pensacola: Conspiracy to commit racketeering and healthcare kickback.
- Jenni Harrell, 48, Pensacola: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary.
- Gary Eckard, 60, Pace: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary, and doctor shopping.
- Kristopher Desposito, 22, Pensacola: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary.
- Shanna Castleberry, 39, Navarre: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone and oxycodone 100 grams or more, and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary.
- Shawn Winchester, 54, Pensacola: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary.
Authorities are still searching for Mickey Bowman, 53, of Pensacola, who faces charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary.
The Escambia and Santa Rosa County sheriff’s offices, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted in the investigation.