• Dr. Charise Valentine convicted on 11 federal charges related to illegal distribution of over 200,000 opioid pills.
• Valentine prescribed opioids at a cash-only clinic in Oak Park, receiving a large portion of the clinic's proceeds based on the number of prescriptions she wrote.
• The case is part of a larger effort to combat the opioid epidemic by targeting medical professionals who abuse their positions for personal gain.

Dr. Charise Valentine, a 69-year-old doctor from Southfield, Michigan, has been convicted on federal charges related to the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids. A federal jury found her guilty of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute prescription opioids and 10 counts of illegal distribution of oxycodone and oxymorphone. From November 2016 to July 2018, Valentine prescribed over 200,000 pills to individuals without a legitimate medical need. The clinic operated out of a warehouse in Oak Park and accepted only cash, charging patients for prescriptions, contributing to the opioid crisis.

• What: Dr. Charise Valentine convicted of conspiracy and illegal distribution of opioids.
• Who: Dr. Charise Valentine, Julie A. Beck (Acting U.S. Attorney), Iris Winchester, Dr. Michele Ritter, Kristina Brown, Joyce Robinson, Cheyvoryea Gibson (Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan)
• When: Crimes occurred from November 2016 to July 2018; conviction on April 25, 2025; sentencing scheduled for August 12, 2025.
• Where: Orthopedic Medical Building in Oak Park, Michigan.

Dr. Valentine's conviction highlights the ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis by targeting medical professionals who abuse their positions of trust. The operation of the Orthopedic Medical Building as a cash-only 'pill mill' demonstrates the blatant disregard for patient welfare in favor of financial gain. The involvement of patient recruiters and the focus on prescribing highly addictive opioids like Oxycodone and Oxymorphone underscore the severity of the scheme. The fact that Valentine received a substantial portion of the clinic's proceeds only if she wrote opioid prescriptions further emphasizes her central role in the illegal operation. Other medical professionals have been convicted for similar offences, demonstrating the FBI and government's commitment to addressing the opioid crisis.

"Addressing the sources of the opioid epidemic – which include addictive opioid prescription pills as well as street drugs – remains a top priority of this office,"

"The conviction of Dr. Valentine, who abused her position of trust by prescribing opioids in exchange for cash, underscores the FBI's strong commitment to holding medical professionals accountable under federal law,"

"We continue to focus on doctors who, rather than helping to address the terrible impact of the opioid epidemic, use the cover of a 'medical office' to write illegal prescriptions for the opioids that fuel the crisis."

Dr. Charise Valentine's conviction marks a significant step in addressing the opioid crisis in Michigan. Her role in illegally prescribing over 200,000 opioid pills for cash demonstrates a profound breach of medical ethics and a direct contribution to the opioid epidemic. With sentencing scheduled for August 2025, the outcome of her case will likely set a precedent for similar cases involving medical professionals who abuse their prescribing privileges. Law enforcement efforts remain focused on targeting doctors and healthcare providers who fuel the crisis for personal gain.