U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs recently announced that nine individuals were indicted for federal drug distribution violations in the Eastern District of Texas.
According to the indictment and court proceedings, the defendants are accused of conspiring to possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute, including Hydrocodone, Oxandrolone, Nandrolone, Phentermine, Alprazolam, Diazepam, Testosterone, Tramadol, Adderall and Dextroamphetamine. They also allegedly conspired to commit money laundering.
Unconfirmed rumors of a DEA raid at Texas Star Pharmacy in Plano began circulating online following the indictment of CEO and Pharmacist in Charge Raman Bhaumik. Plano police were not able to confirm whether or not the raid occurred.
“Right now we are letting customers know the systems are down,” one Texas Star pharmacist told Local Profile. The pharmacist was not able to confirm if the rumored DEA raid occurred, or if the system issue was related to the recent indictment. The pharmacist said they expect to begin filling prescriptions once again later today.
On Feb. 29, 2024, the defendants made their initial appearances before U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan. Those nine included: Kevin Shelton, 53, of Celina; Stephanie Shelton, 48, of Celina; Raman Bhaumik, 45, of Plano; Prasenjit Bhaumik, 48, of Plano; Jeffrey Cornwell, 47, of McKinney; Jai Ellis, 41, of Celina; Clay York, 50, of Rowlett; Stephanie York, 49, of Rowlett; and David Pokorny, 62, of Sherman.
If found guilty, each defendant could face up to 20 years in federal prison. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, with prosecution led by assistant U.S. attorneys in Plano and Sherman.
It's important to note that a grand jury indictment does not imply guilt, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
