Two men who owned and operated a "pill mill" pain clinic were convicted of federal drug and money laundering charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Wednesday.
Jason Cole Votrobek, 30, of Vero Beach, Fla., and Roland Rafael Castellanos, 34, of Hollywood, Fla., ran a clinic called "Atlanta Medical Group" in Cartersville, where their co-conspirators were illegally prescribing pain medications, U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said.
"The defendants in this case preyed upon on those addicted to prescription drugs in order to line their own pockets," Yates said in an emailed statement. "The abuse of prescription drugs and its related criminal activity has become a danger in many of our communities - one we have made a central focus of our office. Today justice has been served."
Votrobek and Castellanos worked to procure and distribute oxycodone pills to addicts and distributors, and directed the clinic's doctor to see as many patients as possible and to prescribe as many pills as possible, according to federal investigators.
Tara Atkins, 36, of Cartersville, served as the office manager, and Dr. James Chapman, 64, of Macon, served as the primary doctor. But Chapman prescribed the pills without a sufficient medical exam and often saw patients while intoxicated, according to investigators. Atkins filled out prescriptions for the doctor to sign, giving patients excessive amounts of pills, Yates' office said.
Atkins previously pleaded guilty to charges related to the pill mill, and Chapman is awaiting trial, Yates said. Votrobek, Castellanos and Atkins will be sentenced at a later date.
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