News

Leader of Ohio Pill-Mill Trafficking Scheme Sentenced

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to leader-of-ohio-pill-mill-trafficking-scheme-sentenced

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A central Ohio man who prosecutors say ran a pill-mill trafficking ring between Ohio and Florida has been sentenced to more than 12 ½ years in federal prison.

Authorities say 41-year-old Donald Fraley promised addicts and other couriers cash or drugs to travel to Florida and bring back thousands of prescription pain pills for him to sell between 2008 and 2014.

Fraley pleaded guilty in February to conspiring to traffic oxycodone. In sentencing Fraley to 12 years and seven months on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Michael Watson told him he contributed to a “pipeline of death.”

Fraley’s attorney had asked for a sentence of eight to 10 years, arguing that Fraley’s children rely on him for support and that he has minimal criminal history.