Man Sentenced for Role in Conspiracy with Annandale-Based Doctor to Illegally Distribute Promethazine-Codeine

ABINGDON, Va. - An Alabama man, who conspired with Dr. Rotimi Adegoke Illuyomade and others to illegally distribute promethazine-codeine solution, was sentenced today to one year of probation.

Cameron Zackery Brown pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a Schedule V controlled substance, promethazine-codeine solution, also known as "lean" and "purple drank."

"Doctors who violate their professional duty and betray the public trust to illegally distribute controlled substances will be held accountable in the Western District of Virginia," First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. "I with to thank The Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Virginia State Police, Russell County Sheriff's Office, Salisbury, Maryland Police Department, Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Police, HHS-OIG, and the Food and Drug Administration for their assistance on this case."

According to court documents, between 2023 and 2024, Brown, Dr. Illuyomade, Raymono Russell, Yared Tesfaye, Kenechukwu Okwara, Cameron Lewis, Zion Adeduwon, and others, conspired to acquire and distribute promethazine-codeine solution by fraud.

Specifically, Brown served as a driver for co-conspirators Okwara and Lewis, whom he knew from high school. Brown drove Okwara and Lewis to Dr. Illuyomade's office, Crossover Medical Center in Annandale, Virginia, and to pharmacies in multiple states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, for the purpose of filling illegal promethazine-codeine solution prescriptions. In exchange for driving, Brown received cash payments and/or CashApp, Apple Pay, or Zelle money transfers.

The investigation began on September 2, 2023, when co-conspirator Raymono Russell attempted to pick up a fraudulent promethazine-codeine solution prescription transmitted by Dr. Illuyomade at a pharmacy in Honaker, Virginia. Russell was arrested and a search of his vehicle revealed multiple controlled substance prescription bottles in various 'patient' names, all from Dr. Iluyomade, filled at pharmacies in Roanoke, Radford, Tazewell, and Floyd, Virginia.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Virginia State Police, Russell County Sheriff's Office, Salisbury, Maryland Police Department, Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Police, HHS-OIG, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lena Busscher and Randy Ramseyer are prosecuting the case.

First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci, Christopher C. Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge DEA Washington Division, and Darren B. Cox, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, made the announcement.