Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew has sentenced Yolanda Camara (49, Brandon) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for her role in operating and managing a medical clinic from which oxycodone, alprazolam, and other controlled substances were illegally prescribed. The Court also ordered her to pay a money judgment of $124,285.64, which are proceeds of the offenses.
Camara pleaded guilty on July 13, 2017.
According to court documents, Camara co-owned and managed Family Medical Express Center, Inc. in Brandon, Florida. She and her co-conspirators operated Family Medical as a purported medical clinic used to sell unlawful prescriptions to individuals who did not need them and to individuals who diverted them for sale in the community on a per-pill basis. In some cases, Camara’s co-conspirator, Dr. Anil Sahijwani, wrote prescriptions at Camara’s or another co-conspirator’s request in the names of individuals he never examined, never met, and, in some cases, who did not actually exist. During the sentencing hearing, Camara was held responsible for conspiring to illegally prescribe over 28,000 oxycodone pills and nearly 6,000 alprazolam (Xanax) pills.
Camara and her co-conspirators have all pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and drug distribution charges. Camara also pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators. In total, six defendants have been sentenced in this and related cases. Jonathan Wainwright, a “sponsor" who paid people to go to the clinic and obtain prescriptions for pills he could sell, was sentenced to 9 years and 2 months’ imprisonment. Dr. Anil Sahijwani was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in federal prison. Justin Oliveira, Camara’s son and clinic employee, and Jeremiah Foor, a patient/co-conspirator, were each sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment. And, David Arbogast, a patient/co-conspirator, was sentenced to 5 years’ probation.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel George.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
