A Corpus Christi physician has admitted he furnished false information in a record of controlled substances her prescribed.
According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick, 51-year-old Dr. Michael Jerome Pendleton pleaded guilty today.
At the hearing, the court also heard that in February 2017, the Texas Medical Board found Pendleton was operating an unregistered pain clinic and that he had surrendered his Drug Enforcement Administration registration license.
Starting in September 2013, law enforcement initiated an investigation into Pendleton’s practice based on his prescription writing practices that included a high number of proscriptions for controlled substances. Law enforcement conducted eight undercover visits to Pendleton’s office. During seven of those occasions, Pendleton prescribed hydrocodone – a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substance Act.
In November 2016, agents executed a search warrant on Pendleton’s office and seized several documents. The investigation revealed Pendleton had omitted from his records information he was required to provide including the hydrocodone he had distributed to the undercover agents.
Sentencing has been set before Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey on July17, 2018. At that time, Pendleton faces up to four years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
