Doctor pleads guilty to distributing painkillers
A Las Vegas physician who advocates medical marijuana therapy pleaded guilty in federal court this week to unlawfully distributing addictive painkillers.
James Tinnell, 74, entered a guilty plea Wednesday to one count of distribution of controlled substances.
The 11 other distribution charges against Tinnell contained in his May indictment are being dismissed, according to his plea agreement.
Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Hunt set a Feb. 3 sentencing.
Tinnell, who maintained a medical practice at 2900 E. Desert Inn Road, admitted in his plea agreement that he intentionally distributed oxycodone, also known by its brand name Percocet, between July 2010 and April of this year without a legitimate medical purpose.
He represented himself to be a specialist in pain management and an advocate of medical marijuana therapy, U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden said in a news release.
In 2005, Tinnell said he had recommended medical marijuana to nearly 200 patients, including former activist Pierre Werner, who is awaiting sentencing in a separate federal case. Werner was one of 14 people arrested in January in connection with marijuana sales at Las Vegas dispensaries.
Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.
