A former West Delray doctor faces a mandatory minimum of 1,343 years in prison when he is sentenced in January on charges of overprescribing pain medication.
The former doctor prescribed high numbers of oxycodone — including 20,000 pills over 10 months to one patient.
The jury, a panel of four men and two women, deliberated more than 16 hours over three days before finding the former doctor guilty of 55 drug trafficking counts. They found him not guilty of 19 charges.
Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Jack Cox said he will sentence Schultz on Jan. 8. The 59-year-old doctor, whose medical license was already suspended, was immediately taken into custody by courthouse deputies. He had been free on bail since his 2011 arrest.
Schultz still has a pending 2013 manslaughter charge and another trial looming in the 2010 overdose death of a 50-year old male patient who was taking methadone — a fact that was not permitted to be shared with the jurors who just convicted him.
Authorities began investigating the former doctor in 2010 after receiving a complaint from a Lake Worth pharmacy that a patient tried to fill a 30-day supply of oxycodone totaling 1,590 pills. The pharmacist testified he became alarmed because that would be enough medication for nine months.
Officials then seized records from the former doctor’ s office, which allegedly revealed that he prescribed 80,350 oxycodone tablets between March 25 and May 11, 2010, compared to 3,450 pills for other ailments, an arrest report shows.
It is likely that the former doctor will file an appeal.
Have you been charged with a drug offense? Time is of the utmost importance. Contact a South Florida Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible after your arrest. We can explain the court process and begin working immediately on an effective drug crimes defense strategy for your unique situation.
Those facing charges for drug trafficking or any other related offense are encouraged to contact us for a free case evaluation. We can make sure you understand your charges as well as the options you have available for your defense.
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