Former Medical Assistant Pleads Guilty to Oxycodone Conspiracy

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland woman pleaded guilty today for her role in leading a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

According to court documents, Louise S. Edwards, 38, was previously employed as a medical assistant at doctor’s offices in Arlington and Alexandria. From 2011 through December 2017, Edwards stole blank prescription pads and electronically-generated fraudulent prescriptions using a medical recordkeeping system to which she had access by virtue of her position as an employee. Edwards had others write or fill the fraudulent prescriptions and return the full bottles to her. Edwards then sold the full bottles for further distribution. During the conspiracy, Edwards facilitated the fraudulent filling of at least 353 prescriptions, totaling 42,360 pills of 30 milligram oxycodone.

Edwards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on September 7. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the plea. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew A. Anzaldi and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Blanchard are prosecuting the case, and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans provided assistance investigating the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-155.