A TBI agent enters Dr. Jerome Sherard’s office, Skyview of Chattanooga Pain Management, at 340 Holtzclaw Avenue, in this June 2012 file photo.A federal indictment unsealed Tuesday revealed allegations of detailed “pill mill” operations in the Chattanooga area against four owner/operators of local pain management clinics over at least the past four years.
The indictment comes two months after local doctor Ihsaan al-Amin was arraigned before a federal magistrate on 105 similar charges of health care fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and using a firearm in the operation of a criminal enterprise.
Al-Amin, who has pleaded not guilty, has an evidentiary hearing scheduled for Oct. 9 before Chief U.S. District Judge Curtis Collier.
On Sept. 7, agents arrested Faith Blake, 40, of Houston, Texas; Barbara Lang, 58, of Rossville; Chuck Larmore, 64, of Chattanooga; and Dr. Jerome Arnold Sherard, 58, of Hixson, who all face charges in the 66-count federal indictment, which alleges they “illegally distribute and dispense” painkillers such as oxycodone, morphine, methadone and others.
“Prescription drug abuse is a widespread problem in our district and country,” said U.S. Attorney William Killian in a news release.