United States Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi announced on July 17 the filing of two civil enforcement actions against four defendants, seeking civil and monetary penalties for violations of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention Control Act of 1970. The two civil complaints, filed in federal court, are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
“These cases demonstrate that we will hold accountable those who exploit the rules implemented to protect against the diversion of opioids,” said U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger. “Our office is committed to working with state and federal law enforcement partners to prosecute those who contribute to prescription drug abuse and health care fraud.”
The charges are part of a coordinated nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. The Takedown involved charges across 56 federal districts and included unprecedented international cooperation leading to apprehensions related to large-scale schemes abroad. Authorities seized over $182 million in assets as part of these efforts.
In one complaint from the Southern District of Mississippi, Clint’s Pharmacy—formerly owned by Clint Bane—could not account for 11,853 controlled substance pills after regulatory inspections at its Brookhaven location. Each unaccounted pill constitutes a recordkeeping violation under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The United States alleges refusal to comply with CSA record-keeping requirements and unlawful dispensing; penalties could reach up to $19,246 per record-keeping violation and $82,950 per unlawful dispensing violation.
A second complaint alleges Rommel Asagwara, owner of Lemmor Holdings LLC doing business as Dream Weight Clinic in Kansas City, Missouri, negligently dispensed controlled substances outside usual professional practice while failing to maintain proper records or inventory for more than 433,000 controlled substances. The United States seeks over $8 billion for these violations.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District encompasses offices in Jackson, Gulfport and Hattiesburg; covers 45 counties across about 25,000 square miles; prosecutes federal crimes; handles government lawsuits; collects debts; operates under direction from the Attorney General; and serves as chief federal law enforcement officer within its jurisdiction, according to its official website.
On April 7 prior to this announcement, the Department of Justice created a National Fraud Enforcement Division focused on investigating fraud against Americans—a move supporting President Trump’s Task Force chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance aiming at eliminating waste within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment or complaint is merely an allegation: all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.