May.13, 2010, 02:15 PM, Source: Carthage Press

CARTHAGE, Mo. —A Carthage woman was indicted by a federal grand jury for distributing prescription medication without a doctor’s license and money laundering.

U.S. Attorney Beth Phillips said the grand jury returned a 24-count indictment charging Tammy L. Neil, 40, Carthage, with illegally distributing phentermine from Jan. 1, 2005 through March 26, 2008, and aiding and abetting others to illegally distribute the drug from the Complete Quick Care Clinic, 2232 S. Garrison St., in Carthage.

The only number listed in the phone book for Neil is the clinic. A message left at the clinic early Thursday was not returned at press time.

According to Phillips, Neil, along with a now-deceased doctor of osteopathic medicine (identified in the indictment as “Dr. A”), owned and operated the clinic. According to the indictment, Neil was responsible for the weight loss department and counseling aspects of the clinic; she was not a medical doctor and was not licensed to dispense controlled substances.

Phillips said in a written release that “Dr. A” was known in the Carthage area as a physician who liberally prescribed drugs on request, the indictment says, and was referred to as “the candy man.” Through “Dr. A,” the clinic purchased significant amounts of controlled substances. For example, the indictment says, the clinic was the highest volume purchaser of hydrocodone in the state of Missouri in 2006.

The indictment alleges that Neil dispensed phentermine, which patients referred to as “synthetic meth,” as part of the weight loss program at the clinic. In addition to the conspiracy, the indictment charges Neil with seven counts of  aiding and abetting others to illegally distribute phentermine.

Neil is charged with participating in a conspiracy to engage in money laundering from Jan. 1, 2005, through March 26, 2008. The indictment alleges that Neil aided and abetted others to conduct financial transactions that involved the proceeds of the illegal distribution of prescription drugs. In addition to the conspiracy, Neil is also charged with 13 counts of money laundering.

Thursday’s indictment includes two forfeiture allegations, which would require Neil to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged offenses, or any property used to commit the alleged offenses, including $1,568,793 that was allegedly received in exchange for the distribution of controlled substances; residential properties in Carthage, Shell Knob and Sarasota, Fla.; a 1966 Piper airplane, a 2007 Jaguar, a 2001 Porsche and a 2008 Cadillac Escalade.

Phillips cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a jury. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys  Randall D. Eggert and Cynthia J. Hyde. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Carthage, Mo., Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.