10/02/10Dentist allegedly trades drugs for crack

by **Dark Blue** » Feb 11th, '10, 02:34

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Jacksonville dentist is in jail, accused of trading prescriptions for crack cocaine.

The investigation into Dr. Richard Verrette began in November when a detective with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office began investigating several prescriptions.

Police said they were written to people who weren't patients at Verrette's office for such controlled substances as oxycodone and hydrocodone.

"He was using his drug pad, prescription pad, to write out prescriptions for OxyContin in exchange for crack cocaine," said officer Mike McCall of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Police sent an undercover officer posing as a crack dealer to make a deal, according to a police report. The officer gave the dentist a baggie of fake crack cocaine in exchange for two prescriptions.

Verrette was arrested Monday after the transaction. Deputies found a crack pipe and a container with cocaine residue in his pockets.

"It shocked us. He's a very good friend. We're just in shock," said family friend Ray Christian.

Verrette faces nine counts of trafficking in illegal drugs, seven for oxycodone and two for
hydrocodone, as well as five counts of possession/selling a controlled substance. He is being held on a $2.5 million bond.