Escambia Doctor, Two Family Members Charged With Running ‘Pill Mill’ From Medical Clinic
October 13, 2021
An Escambia County doctor, along with his wife and son, have been arrested for allegedly operating a pill mill, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Dr. William Wilson, 68, and Beverly Wilson, 66, were arrested Tuesday in Norfolk, Virginia, and James Wilson, 48, was arrested in Pensacola.
The investigation began in 2019, based on pharmacist and citizen complaints that Dr. Wilson and the Wilson Family Medical Center on University Parkway was operating as an unlicensed pain management clinic for financial gain and negligently prescribing dangerous narcotic combinations.
On September 11, 2019, agents executed the first of two search warrants and seized significant evidence. Dr. William Wilson also relinquished his DEA registration that allowed him to prescribe controlled substances. The investigation continued and evidence was analyzed. The analysis included file reviews by a certified expert physician with an expertise in interventional pain management, who found that all of the charts he reviewed revealed patients were prescribed controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose.
The investigation found that the Wilson Family Medical Center double-billed clients for cash and insurance, without clinical notes or exams, and clients routinely received controlled substance prescriptions without seeing Dr. Wilson.
Agents provided the expert physician the chart of an 18-year-old male who visited the clinic at least 10 times, receiving controlled substances each visit. There were no notes in his chart indicating the reason for the prescriptions. On April 26, 2018, he received a prescription for oxycodone and was found dead on April 27. The Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as oxycodone toxicity.
The investigation found that the Wilson Family Medical Center fraudulently billed Blue Cross Blue Shield for a total of $1,862,000 and received $500,000.
“As in all professions, the majority of physicians do the right thing,” said Chris Williams, FDLE Pensacola special agent in charge. “From time to time, a physician does not live out the Hippocratic Oath and FDLE appreciates the help of our law enforcement partners and members of our community in working together to stop them from hurting our citizens, and hold them accountable.”
William Wilson, Beverly Wilson and James Wilson were each charged with conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone (100 grams/30 kilograms), unlawful use of a two-way communications device, culpable negligence inflicting actual injury and scheme to defraud. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming, according to FDLE.
James Wilson was booked into the Escambia County Jail Tuesday on $136,000 bond. William and Beverly Wilson are being held pending extradition at the Norfolk (Virginia) City Jail. The Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit, will prosecute the case.
FDLE agents, with the assistance of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Norfolk (Virginia) Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), made the arrests.
Investigation Underway After Body Found On Road
October 13, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a man whose body was found on Tuesday as a homicide.
The body of a black male believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s was found on Rambler Drive in the Marcus Pointe area.
Sheriff Chip Simmons said it appears someone shot the man, but so far there are no suspects. He said the body may have been there overnight.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Charter Review Committee Wants To Make Century Mayor A Council Member
October 13, 2021
The Century Charter Review Committee wants to make the elected mayor a member of the town council and delegate most authority for running the municipality to a hired town manager.
The committee voted in July that a charter rewrite would form a town manager-council form of government, making the elected mayor a weak position, perhaps mostly a figurehead. With a show of hands Tuesday afternoon, the committee decided 4-2 that the mayor will serve as a council member and chair of the council. As such, the mayor would not be allowed to discuss town business with other council members away from public meetings under Florida’s Sunshine Law. Contact with council members would be the responsibility of the town manager.
The committee decided to remove an outdated mayoral spending limit from the charter, which currently stands at $500 for emergencies or $200 otherwise.
If the charter review committee completes a rewrite, the changes would go the town council to decide if the recommendation will go on the ballot for a citizen vote.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
October 13, 2021
Tate High School recently named their Students of the Month for August. They are Hailey Hartjen and Zavion Simmons. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Residents Can Apply For COVID-19 Death Funeral Assistance
October 13, 2021
Escambia County residents who require funeral assistance due to COVID-19 can apply for FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program. There is currently no deadline to apply.
To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet the following conditions:
- Must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses on or after Jan. 20, 2020.
- For deaths that occurred after May 16, 2020, the death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
- For deaths that occurred from Jan. 20 to May 16, 2020, any death certificate that does not attribute the cause of death to COVID-19 must be accompanied by a signed statement listing COVID-19 as a cause or contributing cause of death.
- The signed statement must be provided by the original certifier of the death certificate or the local medical examiner or coroner from the jurisdiction in which the death occurred.
- The statement must provide an additional explanation, or causal pathway, linking the cause of death listed on the death certificate to COVID-19.
- If the death certificate was issued May 17, 2020 or later, the death certificate must attribute the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19.
- FEMA encourages you to keep the official death certificate that shows the death occurred in the United States, including District of Columbia and the U.S. territories.
To apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, call the helpline at 844-684-6333. The helpline is available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Central time. Online applications are not accepted.
Escambia Schools Relax COVID-19 Restrictions; Volunteers, Visitors And Some Field Trips Return
October 12, 2021
The Escambia County School District has relaxed some of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions at local schools.
Effective Tuesday, on-campus visitors will be allowed, including volunteers, mentors and college recruiters. Field trips will also be allowed to resume on a limited basis with district-level approval.
Any precautionary protocols issued by the state will remain in place, and any large student gatherings on campus during the school day will remain limited.
The Escambia County School District reported 10 positive students and six positive staff members as of Monday. There were 92 more students in quarantine, along with two staff members.
Parole Denied For Murderer Found By NorthEscambia.com After He Returned To The Scene
October 12, 2021
Parole has been denied for a murderer spotted by NorthEscambia.com after he returned to the scene of the crime.
In 2010, Clarence Luker was sentenced to 20 years in prison under a plea agreement for the murder of Kenneth Porter, 32, in September 2009. His parole was recently denied by the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.
Porter was shot after a dispute at a trailer park on Nathan Road in Nokomis, Ala. He died about two hours later at a Mobile hospital. Luker and co-defendant Lorraine Gray fled the scene in a late model 1980s two-tone Ford Econoline van. Law enforcement agencies from Alabama and Florida were on the lookout for the van.
When NorthEscambia.com arrived at the murder scene about to take photographs of the trailers where the incident occurred, all law enforcement personnel had been gone from the scene for a short period of time. After our photos were taken, NorthEscambia.com spotted the alleged getaway vehicle around the corner from the murder location, headed back toward the murder scene.
When deputies arrived back on Nathan Road about 10 minutes later, they found Gray in the van parked at the murder scene. Deputies said she exited the van with her hands up and said “I’m the one you are looking for”. Authorities later learned Gray had no prior knowledge of the crime. She pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution and was sentenced to three years probation.
Tracking dogs from Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore and the Century Correctional Institution were called to the scene to search for Luker. As the dogs began their search of the area, Luker was taken into custody near the intersection of Nathan and James Roads. His clothes were splattered with blood. Luker also admitted to deputies that he was the shooter.
Luker, now 50-years old, is eligible for a parole hearing again in September 2026; otherwise he will be in prison until September 2029. He is currently being held at Fountain Correctional.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive file photos, click to enlarge.
FDC Announces $1,000 Hiring Bonus At Century And Santa Rosa Correctional Institutions
October 12, 2021
The Florida Department of Corrections has announced $1,000 hiring bonuses for Century Correctional Institution, Santa Rosa Correctional Institution and other facilities across the state.
The $1,000 hiring bonus is for newly certified correctional officers.
No experience is necessary to apply, and all training is provided. During training and academy, noncertified officers receive a competitive starting salary and benefits, including health insurance, on day one of their new career in public safety.
Upon successful completion of the basic training academy, newly certified officers at qualifying institutions will receive the bonus. Additional benefits such as a biannual uniform allowance, state college tuition waivers and criminal justice incentive pay become available after certification.
To qualify, interested applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age (no maximum age restriction)
- Be a United States Citizen
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Pass a drug test and physical examination
- Pass a background investigation and fingerprinting, which includes but is not limited to; no felony convictions; no misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement; no misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence.
- Must demonstrate good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
For more information, visit FLDOCjobs.com
Escambia Firefighter Suffers Severe Medical Emergency During Training Exercise
October 12, 2021
An Escambia County firefighter suffered a serious medical emergency during a training exercise Monday afternoon.
The firefighter was taking part in a search training exercise at a former shopping center a the corner of Pace Boulevard and Fairfield Drive just after 3 p.m. Fellow firefighters immediately came to his aid, and he was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
Fog machines were used during the day’s training scenarios, but there was no live fire or smoke.
An Escambia Fire Rescue training exercise scheduled for Tuesday at the same location has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.
Bonus Gallery: Tate Homecoming Parade, Alumni Cheerleaders
October 12, 2021
Tate High School celebrated Homecoming 2021 Friday night.
For a new bonus photo gallery from the parade and alumni cheerleaders, click or tap here.
For the homecoming queen, king and their courts, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
