MIDLAND (January 18, 2013)—Dr. Barrett Doyle Whitefield of Odessa is facing at least 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to writing fake prescriptions for hydrocodone, sometimes without even seeing the patients.
No sentencing date was immediately set for Whitefield, who pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distributing controlled substances.
Investigators say Whitefield wrote prescriptions for hydrocodone to numerous individuals upon request, sometimes without examining them.
Prosecutors say Whitefield knew that several co-defendants were selling the hydrocodone pills in the Midland and Odessa areas.
He also delivered methamphetamine to a person in Lamesa on orders from his co-defendants.
Four other people pleaded guilty this week to conspiracy counts and await sentencing.
Three others still face trial.
