• Dr. Charise Valentine was convicted on federal charges for her role in an opioid prescription scheme.
• Valentine prescribed over 200,000 opioid pills, including Oxycodone and Oxymorphone, to patients without legitimate medical needs.
• The Oak Park clinic, where Valentine worked, operated as a 'pill mill,' accepting only cash and charging based on the type and dosage of opioids prescribed.

Dr. Charise Valentine, a physician from Southfield, Michigan, has been found guilty in federal court for her involvement in a conspiracy to illegally distribute prescription opioids. As one of the primary doctors at the Orthopedic Medical Building in Oak Park, Valentine prescribed over 200,000 opioid pills to individuals who did not have legitimate medical needs between November 2016 and July 2018. The clinic, described as a 'sham clinic,' operated on a cash-only basis and profited from the illegal distribution of highly addictive drugs like Oxycodone and Oxymorphone.

• What: Dr. Charise Valentine was convicted of conspiracy to distribute prescription opioids and 10 counts of illegal distribution of oxycodone and oxymorphone.
• Who: Dr. Charise Valentine, Iris Winchester, Dr. Michele Ritter, Kristina Brown, Joyce Robinson, Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck, FBI, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General.
• When: November 2016 to July 2018 (period of illegal prescription); April 25, 2025 (date of conviction); August 12 (scheduled sentencing).
• Where: Orthopedic Medical Building in Oak Park, Michigan; Federal Court in Detroit.

The conviction of Dr. Charise Valentine highlights the ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis by targeting medical professionals who abuse their positions of trust. The Orthopedic Medical Building operated as a 'pill mill,' prioritizing profit over patient care. The high volume of prescriptions and the cash-only business model raise serious ethical and legal concerns. The involvement of multiple individuals, including other medical professionals, underscores the complexity and scale of the opioid crisis in Michigan.

"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."

"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."

Dr. Charise Valentine's conviction marks a significant step in the fight against the opioid epidemic in Michigan. The case highlights the illegal practices of 'pill mills' and the accountability of medical professionals who contribute to the crisis. With Valentine's sentencing scheduled for August 12, the Eastern District of Michigan continues to prioritize the prosecution of individuals fueling the opioid crisis.