RALEIGH -- Trafficking in thousands of fraudulent prescription drugs for more than two years has landed two Kinston psychiatrists and three others in the Lenoir County Jail today, according to the State Bureau of Investigation.

The SBI arrested Dr. JoAnna Wolicki-Shannon, 50, and Dr. Walter Shannon, 64, both of Kinston, Tuesday morning at East Cove Psychiatric Services on N. Queen St. for their alleged involvement in an illegal prescription drug ring that obtained more than 5,000 pills and capsules since 2012. Wolicki-Shannon is charged with six counts and Shannon is charged with 12 counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud.

The doctors wrote bogus prescriptions for phentermine, hydrocodone, Percocet, Adderall, vyvanse and Ritalin using their psychiatric practice employees and members of the office staffs families to submit them to pharmacies to be filled. The employees picked up the prescribed drugs and delivered them to the doctors. Also arrested are:

• Lisa Renay Lankford, 53, Kinston, on 18 counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud; held on $279,000 bond
• Candice Raegan Hill, 35, Snow Hill, on 10 counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud and 10 counts of trafficking opium; held on $650,000 bond
• James Howington, 31, Kinston, on 10 counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud and 10 counts of trafficking opium; held on $659,000 bond

All are scheduled to appear in court on March 18.

Hill and Lankford are former office managers for the doctors. H Kenton is Hill's boyfriend.

The Lenior County Sheriff's Office,Greene County Sheriff's Office, Snow Hill Police Department, and DEA Diversion assisted the SBI in this investigation and arrests.

 

Contact: Teresa West
Phone: (919) 582-8511