In February, Kevin and Stephanie Shelton, Jai Ellis, Clay and Stephanie York, Jeffrey Cornwell, Planoites Raman “RamanDeep” and Prasenjit “Jay” Bhaumik, and David Pokorny were indicted in the Eastern District of Texas for conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture and distribute a controlled substance. The Bhaumiks’ cases were closed recently, removing the indictment for the two company executives.
The indictment alleged that the parties conspired, from 2016 to 2024, to manufacture and sell controlled substances. The charges both came with a 20 year maximum penalty and fines not to exceed $1 million and $250,000, respectively. The government is alleging that the case concerns a “complex, multi-state conspiracy involving several marketers, pharmacists and healthcare providers who dispensed controlled substances online to thousands of customers nationwide.”
According to an October news release from McGuireWoods, whose partners Mindy Sauter and Michael Elliott began representing the Bhaumiks in May, evidence was presented that was contrary to the charged conduct to the government, who then asked the court to dismiss the indictment against the Bhaumiks “in the interest of justice.”
“We are pleased the government reviewed the evidence presented and agreed to dismiss the indictments,” Sauter said. “With justice served, the Bhaumiks can continue serving their community.”
The trial is still active for those left in the indictment, leaving most documents unavailable for further public information.
“Jay” and Raman Bhaumik are CEO and chief people officer of Texas Star Pharmacy. Raman and Texas Star Pharmacy were given a $1,000 penalty each as a sanction from the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for having “dispensed and shipped prescriptions into a state where the pharmacy was not licensed to operate.” The violation says that the pharmacy dispensed and sold 19 prescriptions to 19 patients in North Dakota, where the pharmacy was not licensed.
According to Board of Pharmacy documents, Bhaumik presented information to the Board alleging that they were not aware that the license application had not yet been approved, and a hearing ordered Bhaumik to pay a $1,000 fine, implement policies that would ensure licensing compliance.
Texas Star Pharmacy is located at 3033 W. Parker Road, suite 100.
CORRECTION: A correction has been made from the original version which incorrectly associated some of the individuals mentioned on the indictment with Texas Star Pharmacy.