WILMINGTON, Del. - United States Attorney David C. Weiss announced today that on Dec. 13, 2019, a federal jury convicted Charles Esham, a 60 year old Wilmington physician, on charges of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of oxycodone, one of the most powerful and commonly abused opioids available. United States District Judge Richard G. Andrews presided over the trial and accepted the verdict.
According to court records and evidence presented during the six-day trial, Esham issued oxycodone prescriptions to five individuals outside the course of usual professional practice and not for a legitimate purpose over the course of several years. Many of these oxycodone pills were not taken by the people to whom they were prescribed, but were instead illegally diverted and sold for profit.
U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “In the midst of an opioid epidemic, Esham abandoned his role as a doctor and effectively handed over his prescription pad to a drug trafficking ring. The jury’s verdict serves as a warning to doctors who betray the solemn trust that our society places in them: when doctors facilitate and enable drug abuse, they must be held accountable."
“Dr. Esham was convicted of federal drug conspiracy and distribution charges for using his DEA registration to prescribe oxycodone without any legitimate medical purpose," said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “DEA Registrants like Esham who choose to engage in these criminal practices risk losing their medical license as well as criminal prosecution and a federal prison sentence."
Esham faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count when sentenced in April 2020. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Judge Andrews will determine Esham’s sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by DEA’s Wilmington Resident Office - Tactical Diversion Squad. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher R. Howland and Dylan J. Steinberg prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 17-71-CR-RGA.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
