COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa. (KMTV) — Four people were sentenced to prison Tuesday for distributing prescription drugs in and around Cass County, IA.
Mary Mayo, 50, Tony Martin Mayo Jr., 34, Jessica Lynn Gross, 31, and Alex Lee Pleis, 25, were sentenced to prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information on illegal distribution of prescription drugs around Cass County, IA in late August of 2015.
Using a confidential informant, the DEA determined Mary Mayo obtained prescriptions for controlled substances like oxycodone and hydrocodone from medical professionals through false representations of illness or injury related to pain management.
Mary Mayo utilized her Medicare/Medicaid benefits to get controlled substances from pharmacies in the area. She also obtained oxycodone from Rebecca Canfield, a co-defendant.
Once Mary Mayo received the prescription drugs, she negotiated a price for the pills with a known buyer, according to the Department of Justice.
Upon reaching an agreement, Mary Mayo had a member of her family deliver or help in the delivery of the controlled substances. Aside from Rebecca Canfield, all co-defendants are members of Mary Mayo's family.
During the yearlong investigation, the DEA arranged a purchase of oxycodone and hydrocodone from Mary Mayo. The pills were delivered to a DEA agent who was working undercover.
Investigation revealed Mary Mayo was receiving Social Security benefits she was not entitled to. She is required to pay restitution to Medicare/Medicaid and the Social Security Administration as a part of her sentence.
Mary Mayo was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment followed by 36 months of supervised release. Gross was sentenced to time served and 60 months of unsupervised release. Pleis was sentenced to time served and 36 months of supervised release. Tony Mayo was sentenced to 12 months in prison followed by 36 months of unsupervised release.
