72-year-old doctor is accused of running a “pill factory” that led to several patients overdosing

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA/Gray News) – A 72-year-old Florida doctor is accused of running a pill mill across the state and trafficking narcotics and opioids.

The investigation began in February 2021 after several pharmacists received complaints about prescribing large amounts of oxycodone.

Investigators said that Dr. Elaine Sharp allegedly ran a pill mill from her office in Gulf Breeze and several patients overdosed after taking the medications she prescribed, WALA reported.

Officers also arrested several suspects accused of selling drugs prescribed by Sharp. Authorities said most of the suspects were prescribed 120 oxycodone pills per month without a legitimate medical need.

Sharp was arrested and charged with murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawful prescription for monetary gain, unlawful prescription of non-medically necessary substance, conspiracy to traffic oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to traffic hydromorphone 28 grams or more and conspiracy to Charged with trafficking hydrocodone 100 grams or more and money laundering.

Others arrested and their charges include:

Tammy Zell, 58, Gulf Breeze

Charges: conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone in an amount of 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain narcotics not medically necessary, doctor's visits

Cheryl Tassin, 63, Milton

Charges: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone in an amount of 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary

Jessica Michael, 43, Navarre

Charges: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to traffic oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to traffic hydromorphone 14 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary

Kevin McLemore, 37, Pensacola

Charges: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone in an amount of 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary

Mark Heath, 63, Pensacola

Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, health care bribery

Jenni Harrell, 48, Pensacola

Charges: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone in an amount of 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary

Gary Eckard, 60, Pace

Charges: conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone in an amount of 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain narcotics not medically necessary, doctor's visits

Kristopher Desposito, 22, Pensacola

Charges: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone in an amount of 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary

Shanna Castleberry, 39, Navarre

Charges: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to traffic in hydromorphone oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary

Shawn Winchester, 54, Pensacola

Charges: Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone in an amount of 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary

Authorities said it was still at large Mickey Bowman, 53, of Pensacolawho is charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone 100 grams or more and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances not medically necessary.

The Escambia and Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Offices and the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in this case.

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