By: Najla Alexander
NJ authorities announced that two Paterson residents admitted conspiring with a doctor to distribute opioids without a legitimate medical reason.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Jasmine McGregor, 32, and Jhenelle Lewis, 35 of Paterson, pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.
According to officials, each pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly and intentionally conspiring and agreeing with others, including Dr. Lisa Ferraro of Hillsdale, to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
McGregor and Lewis each participated in a conspiracy with Ferraro to prescribe oxycodone, an opioid pain medication, to individuals who were not actually Ferraro’s patients and whom Ferraro never physically examined or questioned about symptoms to determine whether there was a legitimate medical need for oxycodone, officials stated.
Officials said McGregor conspired with Ferraro from July 2022 to Oct. 3, 2023, and Lewis conspired with Ferraro from January 2019 to September 2023.
Over the course of the conspiracy with McGregor, Ferraro wrote prescriptions for approximately 630 20mg oxycodone pills and approximately 11,410 30mg oxycodone pills, officials say.
Authorities say over the course of the conspiracy with Lewis, Ferraro wrote prescriptions for approximately 9,450 30mg oxycodone pills.
Officials said Ferraro has also been charged with the same offense.
The charges and allegations with regard to Ferraro are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, according to officials.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances to which McGregor and Lewis pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, authorities say.
Sentencing hearings are scheduled for McGregor on Nov. 20, 2024, and Lewis on Dec. 9, 2024, officials say.