A Martinsville physician, Joel Smithers, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison after being found guilty of more than 450 counts related to the illegal distribution of controlled substances. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court in Abingdon following a three-week jury trial that concluded in December 2024.
Smithers, age 42 and a resident of Texarkana, Texas, was convicted on one count of maintaining a place for the purpose of illegally distributing controlled substances and 466 counts of illegally prescribing Schedule II drugs. He opened his medical office in Martinsville in August 2015 and prescribed controlled substances to every patient, resulting in the distribution of over half a million Schedule II pills such as oxymorphone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and fentanyl. Many patients traveled long distances to obtain prescriptions from Smithers. He did not accept insurance and received more than $700,000 in cash and credit card payments before authorities executed a search warrant at his office on March 7, 2017.
Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci stated: “This defendant’s actions betrayed his oath to his patients, his community, and the healthcare system at large. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of these crimes, and the destruction wrought by the opioid epidemic in our communities, an epidemic fueled by the flagrant misconduct of Dr. Smithers. When doctors betray the trust placed in them, they must be held accountable.”
Christopher C. Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Washington Division commented: “Dr. Smithers failed his patients and the community he swore to serve. Healthcare providers play a vital role in dispensing medications that address their patients’ health requirements. By overprescribing and irresponsibly diverting dangerous controlled substances he put the citizens lives at risk. Not only did we conduct a criminal investigation into Dr. Smithers, but the DEA also revoked his DEA Registration. This action, and today’s sentence prevents him from prescribing medications, ensuring the safety of the public from his negligent practices.”
Attorney General Jason Miyares added: “Dr. Smithers operated like a drug dealer with a prescription pad, flooding communities with addictive and deadly opioids, all while pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “I’m proud of the work done by my Major Crimes and Emerging Threats prosecutor M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, in partnership with our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and federal and local law enforcement, to hold him accountable.”
The court found that Smithers obstructed justice by committing perjury during testimony at trial and determined he led extensive criminal activity between August 2015 and August 2017. The court also concluded that he abused a position of public trust as well as misused specialized skills when unlawfully distributing prescription drugs.
Smithers was previously convicted on similar charges in 2019; however, changes made by the United States Supreme Court regarding jury instructions for cases involving illegal drug distribution by healthcare providers led to a new trial being ordered.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad (Roanoke and Bristol offices), Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General; local police departments; several sheriff’s offices; Virginia State Police; as well as Medicaid Fraud Control Unit within Virginia’s Office of Attorney General.
Assistant United States Attorneys Randy Ramseyer and Corey Hall along with Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen prosecuted this most recent case for the government.
