Zachary T. Lee Acting United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
Zion Oluwademilade Adeduwon, a 24-year-old from Bowie, Maryland, was sentenced on Mar. 10 to 42 months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $100,000 after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to the illegal distribution of controlled substances. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court in Roanoke.
Adeduwon is the first defendant sentenced among several co-conspirators charged with working alongside Dr. Rotimi Iluyomade, an Annandale-based doctor convicted of distributing large quantities of oxycodone pills and prescription cough syrups containing hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine and promethazine-codeine. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address prescription drug abuse and illegal distribution networks.
According to court documents, between at least 2023 and 2024, Iluyomade and his co-conspirators distributed controlled substances across multiple states including California, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, Georgia, Wisconsin, Texas, West Virginia as well as both the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia. At least 70 prescriptions were filled or transmitted within the Western District of Virginia.
The investigation revealed that individuals visited Iluyomade’s clinic with lists of fake patients using false names and addresses to obtain fraudulent prescriptions. Adeduwon regularly visited the clinic to secure such prescriptions for drugs like oxycodone and promethazine-codeine solution—commonly known as “lean”—paying about $300 per prescription. He directed that these be sent under fake identities to pharmacies in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
Other individuals charged in connection with the conspiracy are awaiting trial or sentencing. The case is being investigated by several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Virginia State Police and others. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher is prosecuting the case.
Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said he made the announcement along with Christopher C. Goumenis of DEA Washington Division and Darren B. Cox from FBI Washington Field Office.
