WASHINGTON – A federal jury today found Freeda Flynn, a former St. Clairsville physician, guilty of illegally prescribing controlled substance pills.

Flynn, a doctor formerly licensed in Ohio, was convicted of violating the Controlled Substances Act.

Court documents and evidence presented at trial showed that Flynn, 69, formerly of St. Clairsville, unlawfully prescribed controlled substances, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and methadone, to her patients outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Some patients were prescribed high doses of medication without justification despite their addictions, which were known to Flynn and which placed them at risk for overdose or death, according to information from the U.S. Department of Justice. Others were prescribed medication in dosages, or in combinations, that were outside the course of professional practice. Flynn previously surrendered her DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances, and her medical license was revoked by the State Medical Board of Ohio in January 2021. 

Flynn was convicted in the Southern District of Ohio of eight counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.