Texas Physician Sentenced to 12.5 Years in Prison for Operating Illegal Pill Mill

What this means for your practice

This enforcement action by the DEA and Department of Justice serves as a stark warning to all healthcare businesses, including telehealth, medspas, dental, and chiropractic practices, regarding the severe consequences of unlawful controlled substance prescribing. It underscores the critical importance of maintaining strict compliance with federal and state regulations governing controlled substances, ensuring medical necessity, conducting thorough patient evaluations, and avoiding practices that could be construed as facilitating drug diversion. Practices must implement robust internal controls, training, and oversight to prevent fraudulent activities, as all involved parties—from prescribers to staff and even pharmacists—can face significant legal repercussions.

Kingwood, Texas – A Texas physician, Maryam Qayum, M.D., 68, of Montgomery County, has been sentenced to 12.5 years in federal prison for her role in operating an illegal pill mill in Kingwood. Dr. Qayum's clinic, Recare Health Clinic (Recare), was found to have issued prescriptions for more than 3 million opioid pills without legitimate medical purpose, leading to significant legal consequences for her and several co-conspirators.

Details of the Operation

According to court documents, Dr. Qayum owned, operated, and was the sole prescriber at Recare Health Clinic. The clinic functioned as a cash-only operation, selling controlled substance prescriptions to individuals referred to as “providers,” who were essentially street-level drug dealers. These individuals purchased prescriptions for high-strength, highly addictive opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.

The investigation revealed that Dr. Qayum frequently issued these prescriptions without conducting a legitimate medical examination or even interacting with the patient. The clinic operated outside the bounds of normal medical practice, evidenced by its pricing structure, which charged more for prescriptions of drugs with higher street values. For example, a prescription for oxycodone 30mg could cost as much as $500, while hydrocodone prescriptions were often $300. Additionally, Recare’s staff allegedly took “tips” from drug dealers to expedite patient processing and prescription issuance.

Law enforcement, including DEA Houston investigators and the Conroe Police Department, executed a search warrant at Recare, seizing evidence that included a note detailing the cash price for each prescription.

Legal Proceedings and Sentences

Dr. Qayum pleaded guilty in March 2026 to conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. The operation, which dispensed over 3 million opioid pills, ran between 2022 and 2025 before law enforcement shut down the clinic.

In addition to Dr. Qayum, four other defendants involved in the scheme have also been sentenced:

• Melvin Sampson, 56, of Houston, Texas: Sentenced to 210 months in prison in June 2026. Sampson, a street-level drug dealer, brought patients to Recare, filled prescriptions, and resold the drugs on the black market.
• Tomi-Ko Bowers, APRN, 71, of Cleveland, Texas: Sentenced to 96 months in prison in June 2026. Bowers was a nurse practitioner at Recare and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances.
• Lester Stokes, 38, of Houston, Texas: Sentenced to 63 months in prison in June 2026. Stokes served as Recare’s security guard.
• Jared Williams, RPh, 49, of Pearland, Texas: Sentenced to 42 months in prison in July 2026. Williams was the owner and pharmacist-in-charge at Surge Rx, a pharmacy that filled illegitimate prescriptions issued by Qayum.

Broader Enforcement Context

The case was prosecuted by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. This sentencing falls within a broader federal effort to combat healthcare fraud and unlawful distribution of controlled substances.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the creation of its Fraud Division in April 2026, specifically focused on investigating and prosecuting fraud against the American people. This initiative aligns with President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. The DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program has been highly active, charging over 6,200 defendants since 2007, who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers over $45 billion. Furthermore, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in collaboration with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), continues to take measures to hold providers accountable for involvement in healthcare fraud schemes.

This case underscores the federal government's unwavering commitment to prosecuting individuals and entities that exploit the healthcare system for illicit gain, particularly in the realm of controlled substance prescribing.

Key Facts

| Detail | Value | |---|---| | Physician Sentenced | Maryam Qayum, M.D., 68, Montgomery County, TX | | Prison Sentence | 12.5 years | | Clinic Operated | Recare Health Clinic (Recare) in Kingwood, TX | | Pill Distribution | Over 3 million opioid pills (oxycodone and hydrocodone) | | Operation Period | Between 2022 and 2025 | | Co-Defendants Sentenced | Four individuals, including an APRN and a Pharmacist-in-Charge, received sentences ranging from 42 to 210 months |

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main violation committed by Dr. Qayum?

Dr. Qayum operated her medical clinic as an illegal pill mill, issuing prescriptions for over 3 million opioid pills without a legitimate medical purpose, and often without interacting with the patient.

What type of drugs were involved in this illegal operation?

The operation involved high strength, highly addictive opioids, specifically oxycodone and hydrocodone.

Were others involved in the illegal activities?

Yes, in addition to Dr. Qayum, a nurse practitioner, a security guard, a street-level drug dealer, and a pharmacist were also sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy.

How did the clinic operate outside of normal medical practice?

The clinic operated as a cash-only pill mill, charged more for prescriptions for drugs with higher street value (e.g., $500 for oxycodone 30mg), and staff frequently took 'tips' to fast track patients and prescriptions.

Which government agencies investigated and prosecuted this case?

The case was investigated by DEA Houston investigators and the Conroe Police Department, and prosecuted by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

Source: dea.gov — DEA Extends Telemedicine Prescribing Flexibilities for Controlled Substances