Crime & Safety

Oxycodone Ring Busted in North Georgia

The case comes about amid intensified efforts to address Georgia's growing problem with prescription drug abuse.

Eleven defendants, most from North Georgia, were indicted by a federal grand jury this week and charged with trafficking oxycodone and other prescription drugs in an operation that spanned a wide swath of the state.

The case comes about amid intensified efforts to address Georgia's growing problem with prescription drug abuse.

The eleven Georgia citizens (see list below) indicted this week face charges of conspiring to forge oxycodone prescriptions and trafficking in the illegally obtained oxycodone tablets.

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  • Lori Rene Anderson, 32, of Acworth
  • Kristen Noelle Goduto, 27, of Marietta
  • Kory Joseph Goduto, 30, of Marietta
  • Pasquale Pete Goduto, 60, of Marietta
  • Phillip David Hobbs, 38, of Canton
  • Justin Howard, 28, of Braselton
  • Georgia Ann Hulsey, 31, of Marietta
  • Mark James O’Brien, 34, of Marietta
  • Levi Young Stigall, 27, of Canton
  • David Lee Tanner, 32, of Acworth
  • Ryan Patrick Trento, 25, of Marietta

In March, law enforcement leaders, plus academics and medical professionals met in a summit at Georgia State University to address the growing problem.

The state General Assembly has also passed legislation which will allow law enforcement and others to more effectively prevent the misuse of abused prescription drugs.

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In the recent case, authorities say Kristen Noelle Goduto, 27, of Marietta manufactured prescriptions for oxycodone, and recruited others to get them filled throughout northern Georgia, from as far south as McDonough and Covington, to as far north as Dalton and Blue Ridge. 

Goduto allegedly paid those who passed the prescriptions in either cash or narcotics. Authorities say the criminal organization obtained, or attempted to obtain, over 10,000 oxycodone tablets which they intended to distribute on the streets.

"Prescription drug abuse is our nation's fastest-growing segment of illegal drug use, causing significantly more overdose deaths than cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin combined,” said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.

“Oxycodone remains one of the most widely abused prescription drugs, and it's also one of the most addictive and deadly drugs when not taken properly. 

The forging of prescriptions is an especially harmful situation because it completely removes the oversight of a physician from the equation."  

The recent indictments charge eleven defendants with one count of conspiring to possess a controlled substance, namely oxycodone, with the intent to distribute. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.


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