Former Delaware Doctor Convicted of Opioid Ring
Patrick Titus, a former Milford, Delaware-based doctor, was convicted by a federal jury earlier this summer of 13 counts of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances, as well as one count of maintaining a drug-involved premise at Lighthouse Internal Medicine.
The case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), found evidence of Titus distributing a laundry list of powerful opioids “including fentanyl, morphine, methadone, OxyContin and oxycodone” according to a Department of Justice press release. Titus was found to have targeted patients with a history of addiction, prescribing them in high doses or often without a legitimate medical need, and accepting mostly cash payments.
According to The Delaware News Journal, Titus prescribed over 2 million narcotic pills in a state which is known to have the second-highest overdose rate in the country. Following his conviction, this past July, Titus’ sentencing is slated for November 2021 where he could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
Federal prosecutors are showing no sign of slowing down on their hunt to weed out medical practitioners that are participating in the illegal narcotic distribution and contributing to the ever-present opioid crisis. If you suspect a member of your healthcare practice is involved in questionable activity, it is important to consult with a defense attorney to ensure your name or practice is not held liable as well.
