Carthage Clinic Counselor Pleads Guilty to Illegal Drug Distribution
By: Briauna Brown
Updated: July 18, 2012
SPRINGFIELD,MO--- Tammy L. Neil, 42, of Carthage, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to illegally distribute phentermine. Neil also admitted that she participated in a conspiracy to engage in money laundering that aided the distribution of prescription drugs.
Neil and her former husband (now deceased), Dr. John Feitas, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, owned and operated Complete Quick Care Clinic, 2232 S. Garrison, in Carthage. Freitas was primarily in charge of the health care aspects of the clinic, while Neil managed the day to day operations of the clinic and ran the weight loss side of the clinic. Neil directed her employees to sell patients phentermine-which patients referred to as "synthetic meth" as a part of the weight loss protocol.
As a licensed counselor Neil was not authorized to prescribe or dispense any controlled substance.
Between 2005 and 2008, Freitas and Neil deposited more than $1.5 million into several bank accounts. Under the plea agreement Neil must forfeit to the government $200,000. Neil is subject to a sentence of 24 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine of $750,000.
Sentencing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
