For Immediate Release
October 4, 2024
 
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Dr. Elaine Sharp for murder, manslaughter and racketeering following a multiyear investigation involving an illegal drug ring accused of dealing narcotics and opioids throughout the Northwest Florida area.  Escambia and Santa Rosa county sheriff’s offices and the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the case. 
 
FDLE started its investigation in February 2021 after agents received complaints from several local pharmacists regarding the large amounts of oxycodone being prescribed.  Agents say Dr. Sharp ran a pill mill out of her physician’s office in Gulf Breeze. Several patients overdosed after taking drugs prescribed by her.   
 
FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said, “Shutting down this pill mill unquestionably made our community safer.  We know this drug ring, led by Dr. Elaine Sharp, was a major contributor of illegal drugs flowing into our neighborhoods and even attracting drug dealers from throughout the Southeast looking for an easy way to obtain these drugs.”   
 
Agents also arrested several suspects charged with selling drugs prescribed by Sharp.  Most suspects were prescribed 120 oxycodone pills a month with no legitimate medical need.
 
Agents made arrests yesterday.  The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit.
 
Arrests
Dr. Elaine Sharp, 72, Pensacola Beach
Charges: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit racketeering, unlawfully prescribing for monetary gain, unlawfully prescribing not medically necessary, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone 28 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydrocodone 100 grams or more, money laundering
 
Tammy Zell, 58, Gulf Breeze
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary, doctor shopping
 
Cheryl Tassin, 63, Milton
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
 
Jessica Michael, 43, Navarre
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone 14 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
 
Kevin McLemore, 37, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
 
Mark Heath, 63, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, healthcare kickback
 
Jenni Harrell, 48, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
 
Gary Eckard, 60, Pace
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary, doctor shopping
 
Kristopher Desposito, 22, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
 
Shanna Castleberry, 39, Navarre
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking hydromorphone oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
 
Shawn Winchester, 54, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
 
At Large Mickey Bowman, 53, Pensacola
Charges: conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain controlled substance not medically necessary
 
For Further Information Contact:
FDLE Office of Public Information
Info@fdle.state.fl.us