U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan sentenced Scott Andrew Hollington, 59, of St. Augustine, to 12 years in federal prison Friday.
The sentencing follows Hollington’s conviction on 14 counts of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances outside the scope of legitimate medical practice, and 5 counts of obstructing justice. A federal jury found Hollington guilty on July 25, 2023.
The trial revealed that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating Hollington after receiving a tip from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJCSO) alleging that he was trading narcotic prescriptions for sexual favors. Subsequent investigation uncovered evidence of Hollington’s improper prescribing practices, leading the DEA to deploy five undercover officers to his addiction clinic between February and July 2022.
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During the undercover operations, the officers obtained a total of 17 prescriptions for Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances without legitimate medical need. These substances included amphetamines (Adderall), benzodiazepines (Valium and Xanax), and buprenorphine (Suboxone).
Evidence showed that Hollington inquired about the officers’ drug preferences and provided prescriptions without proper medical justification. He also disregarded urine drug screening results and frequently omitted physical examinations, vital checks, and proper documentation during the officers’ visits. Following his indictment, Hollington altered medical notes in the undercover officers’ files, leading to the obstruction of justice charges.
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The trial also included testimony from three female victims who described instances where Hollington exchanged, coerced, or solicited sexual favors for prescriptions. One victim referred to him as a “monster” who exploited her vulnerability while she sought addiction treatment. Another victim testified that Hollington asked if she needed a “sugar daddy” and engaged in sexually charged conversations instead of discussing her medical history and medication needs.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Ormond Beach Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the State Attorney’s Office – 7th Judicial Circuit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kirwinn Mike and Ashley Washington.
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