Ferndale Doctor Pleads Guilty To Prescription Drug Trafficking

Dr. Joel Milliner, M.D., age 45, of Ferndale pleaded guilty yesterday to distribution of controlled substances including prescription pain killers, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division, and Lamont Pugh, III, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

Milliner entered his guilty plea during a hearing today before U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen in Detroit.

 Milliner pleaded guilty to distribution of controlled substances outside of the course of legitimate medicine. Over the course of several months, Milliner wrote prescriptions for Opana and Oxycondone that he knew would be diverted for illicit purposes

U.S. Attorney stated, “Diversion of prescription drugs causes significant harm.  The number of fatal overdoses from prescription drugs in the United States last year was more than six times the number of fatal overdoses from all other illegal drugs combined.” 

Milliner is facing a maximum penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2014. 

U.S. Attorney McQuade congratulated the hard work of the FBI and HHS for their efforts in pursuing this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Ross.