Two Paterson Residents Admit Conspiring with Physician to Distribute Opioids

NEWARK, N.J. - Two Paterson, New Jersey, residents today admitted conspiring with a doctor to distribute opioids without a legitimate medical reason, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Jasmine McGregor, 32, and Jhenelle Lewis, 35, both of Paterson, each pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to one count of knowingly and intentionally conspiring and agreeing with others, including Dr. Lisa Ferraro, of Hillsdale, New Jersey, to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

McGregor and Lewis each participated in a conspiracy with Ferraro to prescribe oxycodone, an opioid pain medication, to individuals who were not actually Ferraro's patients and whom Ferraro never physically examined or questioned about symptoms to determine whether there was a legitimate medical need for oxycodone. McGregor conspired with Ferraro from July 2022 to Oct. 3, 2023, and Lewis conspired with Ferraro from January 2019 to September 2023.

Over the course of the conspiracy with McGregor, Ferraro wrote prescriptions for approximately 630 20mg oxycodone pills and approximately 11,410 30mg oxycodone pills. Over the course of the conspiracy with Lewis, Ferraro wrote prescriptions for approximately 9,450 30mg oxycodone pills.

Ferraro has also been charged with the same offense. The charges and allegations with regard to Ferraro are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances to which McGregor and Lewis pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for McGregor on Nov. 20, 2024, and Lewis on Dec. 9, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ray A. Mateo and Aaron L. Webman of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.