Orthopedic surgeon gets 5 months in federal prison for illegal hydrocodone pill distribution: 4 notes

An orthopedic surgeon that pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy after illegally distributing hydrocodone last year has been sentenced to federal prison, according to a Tulsa World report.

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Four things to know:

1. Jeremy Thomas, DO, an orthopedic surgeon in Claremore, Okla., received a sentence of five months in federal prison and eight months of home confinement, according to the report. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick originally requested a 57- to 71-month prison sentence.

2. Dr. Thomas pleaded guilty to prescribing around 14,000 hydrocodone pills to alleged co-conspirators, and he admitted to abusing the substance himself. 

3. Thirteen former patients filed medical negligence lawsuits against Dr. Thomas after his grand jury indictment last year.

4. Since the investigation, Dr. Thomas has received treatment for drug addition.

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