A local physician could face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced in July for illegally dealing prescription drugs.
Clarence resident Matthew Bennett, 49, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Court judge Richard Arcara to charges he unlawfully dealt oxycodone pills. What makes his case unique, say prosecutors, was for what he was exchanging the pills: not cash, but goods and services.
"In this particular case a source of information said that they were aware of this doctor, Dr. Bennett, who seemed to be exchanging 'scripts' in exchange for people working at his house and doing home improvements, that sort of thing," said U.S. Attorney William Hochul, who added that undercover federal agents were able to acquire prescription oxycodone in exchange for paper products and a gas grill.
It's disturbing, Hochul says, that prosecuots have seen a handful of cases of local doctors dealing drugs which are as potent as some off the street that have led to a string of fatal overdoses.
"One of the things that we all experienced over the last couple of decades is this explosion in the dissemination of pain meds which, chemically speaking, are very close and almost indistinguishable from heroin," Hochul said.
Bennett, whose practice was based in North Tonawanda, loses his medical license as part of the plea. He'll be sentenced on July 30.
