© 2026 WGCU News
News for all of Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Judge Sends Former 'Pill Mill' Doctor To Prison

A former pain management doctor in Florida will be going to federal prison for two years after a judge rejected sentencing guidelines that recommended a six-month sentence.

U.S. District Judge Brian Davis issued the sentence for Russell Sachs on Wednesdayin Clay County.

The Florida Times-Union reports Sachs had 10 patients die of drug overdoses.

In making his ruling, Davis said the deaths and the fact that Sachs had sexual relations with eight of his female patients justified a longer sentence. Davis said Sachs was running a "pill mill."

Sachs pleaded guilty last June to one count of prescribing controlled substances to patients for no legitimate reason. As part of the agreement, three other charges were dropped.

He must report to prison by March 8.

Copyright 2020 Health News Florida. To see more, visit .

Tags
Trusted by over 30,000 local subscribers

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning

Quick briefs when you are busy, deeper explainers when it matters, delivered early morning and curated by WGCU editors.

  • Environment
  • Local politics
  • Health
  • And more

Free and local. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

More from WGCU