Metro Detroit doctors among 9 charged in $20M+ opioid ring

DETROIT – A group of people across Metro Detroit are facing charges in a scheme to illegally distribute opioids.

According to authorities, nine people -- including three doctors -- were charged with conspiracy to illegally distribute prescription drugs.

The charges come from allegations that the owner of P&A Aftercare in Southfield -- Sharlene Dawson (aka Sharlene Crawford) -- hired the three doctors to issue prescriptions for a number of patients that did not exist in exchange for cash. The drugs -- reportedly Oxycodone, Percocet and Norco -- were then sold on the street.

Authorities said the fake patients were recruited by Lanise Gortman, Aaron Thomas, Valecia Logan, and Antoine Arnold, who filled the prescriptions at area pharmacies and sold the drugs on the street.

Desiree King, who ran P&A’s front office, reportedly worked closely with the recruiters to facilitate the prescriptions being issued.

They allegedly billed pharmacy benefit programs, Medicare and Medicaid for the drugs. The scheme allegedly ran from June 2021 through September 2024 and resulted in roughly $28 million in fraudulent billings.

The full list of those charged with conspiracy to illegally distribute prescription drugs can be read below.