SHREVEPORT, LA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)), published as received.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Dr. Jeffrey L. Evans, Jr., 65, of Mansfield, Louisiana, and Debra E. Craig, 66, of Converse, Louisiana, were each indicted by a federal grand jury in Shreveport today for illegally obtaining and distributing controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.

Evans was a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of Louisiana with an office in Mansfield, and Craig was an LPN who worked in the medical clinic and was assigned to work with Evans.  The indictment alleges that beginning on or about January 2, 2014 and continuing until on or about March 9, 2022, Evans and Craig conspired together and with other persons to obtain hydrocodone and Adderall, both Schedule II controlled substances, by fraud.

It is alleged in the indictment that Evans would write prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances to an unnamed person identified as “Individual 1” and to his co-defendant and LPN, Craig. The controlled substances prescribed included hydrocodone-acetaminophen tablets, hydrocodone-homatropine syrup, and Adderrall.  According to the indictment, Individual 1 would fill the prescriptions at a Mansfield, Louisiana area pharmacy and then provide the Adderrall to Evans, who would split the controlled substance containing hydrocodone with Individual 1.

The indictment further alleges that Craig would fill the prescriptions at a Mansfield, Louisiana area pharmacy using the name “Debbie Craig.” Evans would provide cash to Craig to pay the pharmacy for the Schedule II controlled substances and after filling the prescriptions, Craig would in turn provide them to Evans.

It is alleged in nine counts in the indictment that Evans obtained controlled substances by fraud from December 2017 through August 2018.  In addition, Evans and Craig are both charged with five counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud between September 2020 and March 2022. Finally, the indictment alleges that Evans distributed controlled substances through prescriptions that were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose between February 2018 and August 2018.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, Evans faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  If convicted, Craig faces a sentence of up to 4 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. 

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the United States Attorney.

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