Jackson 'Rock Doc' convicted on all counts in week-long federal trial
A federal jury convicted last week, Jackson nurse practitioner Jeffrey Young, 49, self-proclaimed "Roc Doc" on more than 13 counts of illegally prescribing more than 1 million controlled substances to patients, while maintaining inappropriate sexual relationships with some.
The U.S. Department of Justice released information about his conviction Tuesday.
Young was convicted of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and 13 counts of distributing controlled substances, six of which involved distribution to a pregnant woman.
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He faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison for each count involving distribution to a pregnant woman, and 20 years in prison for each of the other counts of conviction.
His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3 by a federal judge.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Young used his medical practice, Preventagenix, to illegally prescribe more than one million medically unnecessary controlled substance pills — including, opioids, oxycodone and fentanyl — to hundreds of patients, including a pregnant woman and women with whom he was having inappropriate physical relationships.
More: Feds: 'Rock Doc' Jeff Young prescribed opioids to undercover cops without exam, should stay in jail
Young maintained a party-like atmosphere at his clinic, according to the U.S. Department of Justice's release, prescribing the drugs to "at least in part to boost his popularity on social media and promote a self-produced reality TV show pilot based on his self-identified persona, the 'Rock Doc.'"
In 2016, Young was the central figure of a pilot for an envisioned reality show, "Rock Doc TV," which included his clinic in Jackson. It does not appear the pilot ever aired on television.
Trial began March 27 in Memphis
Jury selection began last Monday in the first phase of the trial against Young for his role in the unlawful distribution of the controlled substances.
Young, his legal team, and the state prosecution sat before Judge John Fowlkes in the Odell-Horton Federal Building in downtown Memphis where they questioned potential jurors last Monday.
Young faced an indictment of 15 counts including conspiracy to dispense and distribute controlled substances, unlawfully dispensing controlled substances to a pregnant woman, and maintaining a location to distribute controlled substances, or his office.
During the jury selection process, Young was seen sitting in a suit and tie with slicked-back hair as he calmly flipped through a large binder filled with paperwork decorated with post-it notes.
Prospective jurors were asked a list of questions including their personal relation to intaking controlled substances (Xanax, valium, benzodiazepines, opioids, fentanyl, oxycontin) as well as if they have close family or friends who have been affected by opioid use.
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With consideration to one of the allegations against Young being that he was prescribing controlled substances with the "intention of seducing women," the state prosecution advised the jury that they would be exposed to "graphic, written and pictorial sexual content" between Young and his patients.
Prosecutors noted that the content did not depict underage patients or violence inflicted upon victims.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, and Director David Rausch of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.
The DEA and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with valuable assistance from the Jackson Police Department.
Assistant Chief Kate Payerle and Trial Attorney Drew Pennebaker of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case with significant assistance from Jillian Willis and Dermot Lynch.
Kerri Bartlett contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Jackson 'Rock Doc' convicted on all counts in week-long federal trial
