Former Polk Doctor Sentenced for Internet Drug Sales

TAMPA | A physician who once practiced in Haines City and Central Polk was sentenced in federal court Thursday to 51 months in prison for illegally distributing pain medicine nationwide through Internet Web clinics.
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Juan Antonio Ibanez, 60, pleaded guilty in late October to multiple charges, according to the Department of Justice in Tampa.

His organization grossed more than $85 million between 2003 and December 2007 by distributing more than 50 million hydrocone pills to customers who placed orders on various Internet sites, according to a plea agreement.

Hydrocone is sold either generically or under brand names such as Vicodin, Vicoprofin, Lortab, Lorcet and Norco, court documents said.

Ibanez, who lives in the Orlando area, also practiced in Tampa, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Tampa.

“This is an ongoing investigation and part of the plea agreement requires that Ibanez cooperate with our office,” said Steve Cole, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Attorney’s office.

“As for its size, I don’t know that it’s the largest, but is certainly one of the largest online prescription cases we have prosecuted.

Ibanez pleaded guilty to:

Illegally distributing hydrocone, a powerful and addictive drug, to undercover investigators in Tampa.

Conspiracy to illegally distribute hydrocodone.

Illegally using other doctors’ federal drug registration numbers to do that.

Conspiracy to use pharmacies for illegally distributing hydrocone and to use communication facilities as part of the conspiracy.

Engaging in a monetary transaction, greater than $10,000, in property received criminally from the drug conspiracy.

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