Florida doctor faces murder charges after running 'pill mill' - as 10 co-conspirators arrested

A Northwest Florida doctor and her alleged drug dealers were arrested on Thursday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), with Dr. Elaine Cecile Sharp, 72, from Pensacola Beach, taken into custody on charges of murder , manslaughter, and racketeering.

Ten of her co-conspirators were also arrested following a multi-year investigation into an illegal drug ring accused of distributing narcotics and opioids in Northwest Florida .

Dr. Sharp is also facing accusations of unlawfully prescribing for financial gain, issuing unnecessary medications, conspiracy trafficking of oxycodone, hydromorphone, and hydrocodone, as well as money laundering.

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The FDLE began its investigation in February 2021 after several local pharmacists raised concerns about the large quantities of oxycodone being prescribed.

According to FDLE agents, Dr. Sharp operated a pill mill from her Gulf Breeze physician's office, with several patients overdosing on drugs she prescribed.

"Shutting down this pill mill unquestionably made our community safer," said FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams. "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."

Several suspects who allegedly sold drugs prescribed by Sharp were also arrested.

The FDLE has revealed that most suspects were selling 120 oxycodone pills monthly without any legitimate medical need.

Those arrested include 58-year-old Tammy Zell of Gulf Breeze, charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy-trafficking oxycodone 100 grams or more, conspiracy to obtain a controlled substance not medically necessary, and doctor shopping. Facing similar charges is 63-year-old Cheryl Tassin of Milton, 43-year-old Jessica Michael of Navarre, Kevin McLemore, 37, of Pensacola, Mark Heath, 63, also from Pensacola, Gary Eckard, 60, of Pace, Kristopher Desposito, 22, Shanna Castleberry, 39, Shawn Winchester, 54, of Pensacola, and Mickey Bowman, 53, of Pensacola.

Police are on the hunt for one more suspect.

According to officials, the case was a joint effort between the Escambia County and Santa Rosa County sheriff's offices and the Drug Enforcement Administration.