FEDS: El Paso doctor issued prescriptions for Xanax in exchange for favors

An El Paso doctor is facing federal drug trafficking charges for allegedly conspiring to distribute a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Steve A. Borak.

A 12 count federal grand jury indictment returned last week charges 66-year-old Dr. Thomas Glenn Easter II, and his co-defendant, 28-year-old Elizabeth Lightfoot, of El Paso, with two counts of “conspiracy to distribute Xanax and other controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice.”

Easter is charged with an additional ten counts of “distributing Xanax and other controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice.”

Investigators said Easter and Lightfoot were responsible for “doling out numerous prescriptions involving a variety of medications in exchange for favors.”

“Prescription drug abuse has become increasingly prevalent in the community,” said Bash. “We are going to crack down hard on licensed medical professionals who violate federal law – not to mention their professional obligations – in illegally dispensing controlled substances.”

Upon conviction, each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison. Both defendants are currently out on bond.

“Easter and Lightfoot contributed to the controlled substance abuse epidemic plaguing our society,” said Borak. “Their conduct put lives at risk and won’t be tolerated. DEA, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue those who seek to perpetuate and profit from the diversion of prescription drugs.”