Southfield Doctor Sentenced to Six Years for Illicit Opioid Distribution Ring

In a powerful statement against the devastating opioid crisis, a Southfield physician, Dr. David Jankowski, has been handed a significant six-year federal prison sentence for his central role in a widespread conspiracy to illegally distribute highly addictive opioid painkillers. The ruling, delivered by U.S.

District Judge Bernard A. Friedman, marks a critical victory for law enforcement in its ongoing efforts to hold medical professionals accountable for abusing their positions.

Dr. Jankowski, 66, was not merely prescribing medication; he was orchestrating an illicit distribution network through his practice, the Michigan Pain Clinic.

For an extensive period spanning from at least July 2017 to January 2019, Jankowski engaged in a brazen scheme that saw him issue prescriptions for massive doses of Schedule II controlled substances, including Oxycodone and Oxymorphone, without any legitimate medical purpose. Patients often bypassed proper medical examinations, instead paying cash for prescriptions that fueled addiction and contributed to the public health crisis.

The sheer scale of the operation is staggering.

Over an eighteen-month period, investigators uncovered that Dr. Jankowski was responsible for the distribution of more than 100,000 dosage units of opioids. These weren't isolated incidents; they were part of a systematic abuse of medical authority, transforming a supposed pain clinic into a drug pipeline.

The illicit enterprise was not a solo act.

Dr. Jankowski worked alongside co-conspirators who have also faced justice. Jennifer Gorcyca, the office manager, received a two-year prison sentence for her involvement in the scheme. Jacquelyn H. Kirsch, a physician’s assistant, was sentenced to three years in prison, underscoring the collective responsibility in this betrayal of public trust.

The investigation that brought Dr.

Jankowski and his co-conspirators to justice was a robust, multi-agency effort. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the Michigan State Police worked collaboratively, pooling resources and expertise to dismantle the illegal operation.

U.S.

Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Medical professionals are given the immense responsibility of caring for patients, and my office will continue to hold them accountable when they choose to illegally distribute dangerous opioids for profit instead.” This sentiment was echoed by Assistant Attorney General Nicole M.

Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, who highlighted the devastating impact of opioid diversion on communities and families across the nation.

This sentencing serves as a stark reminder that no one is above the law, especially those entrusted with public health. The six-year term for Dr.

Jankowski sends a clear message that the federal government is committed to prosecuting those who exploit the opioid crisis for personal gain, ensuring that justice is served for the countless lives affected by such reckless actions.