$24 Million Oxycodone Operation: Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison
Michael Kent, 51, of Brooklyn, was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison for his role in a narcotics conspiracy involving fake patients, bribed pharmacists, and the distribution of oxycodone, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Sentencing and Financial Penalties
U.S. District Judge Ann M. Donnelly also ordered Kent to forfeit $635,875, marking a significant financial penalty alongside his prison sentence.
Operation Overview
Between December 2018 and October 2022, Kent and his co-defendants operated a drug ring from a medical practice located on Linden Boulevard in East New York. They distributed over 11,000 oxycodone prescriptions, totaling 1.2 million pills valued at approximately $24 million on the street.
Recruitment of Fake Patients
Kent’s involvement included recruiting 45 sham patients, who were prescribed over six kilograms of unnecessary oxycodone. He compensated these individuals for their names, collected the oxycodone from bribed pharmacists, and resold it to drug dealers. The illicit profits were laundered through a shell company named “Michael’s Cleaning Service,” which he used to purchase three properties in New York City.
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Arrest and Evidence
When law enforcement arrested Kent in October 2022, they recovered two loaded firearms from his home and seized thousands of dollars in cash, underscoring the gravity of his criminal activities.
The Opioid Epidemic
According to the Mayo Clinic, oxycodone is a highly addictive opioid used to treat severe and chronic pain conditions. Prescription pills, such as the 30 mg oxycodone tablets involved in this case, are particularly valuable on the black market, selling for between $20 and $30 per tablet in New York City.
Statement from the U.S. Attorney
“The opioid epidemic has destroyed countless families and communities in our district, New York City, and across the country,” said Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “The proliferation of pill mill clinics, like the medical office involved in this case, significantly contributes to the opioid crisis. Today’s sentencing holds the defendant accountable for his role in callously diverting highly potent and addictive drugs from medical offices to the streets of New York.”
