Fair Haven Doctor Sentenced for Oxycodone Ring Role

The 52-year-old doctor from Fair Haven who admitted an enabling role in a massive Oxycodone distribution ring is sentenced to 57 months in prison.

In a Trenton federal courtroom today, Jacqueline Lopresti was also ordered to serve three years probation on release, to forfeit $465,000 and to pay fines totalling $5,000.

Lopresti had pleaded guilty to an information charging her with one count of conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone. She admitted writing illegal prescriptions for the drug through her office in Little Silver.

Lopresti is one of 28 defendants charged or convicted in the probe that led investigators to eight Ocean and Monmouth County communities including Toms River, Waretown, Manahawkin, Forked River, Barnegat, Surf City, Belmar and Little Egg Harbor.

Prosecutors say that Lopresti and Dr. Hassan Lahham were recruited by Christopher Erwin, 49, of Barnegat, and Stephen Sampson, 52, of Manahawkin.

According to authorities, Erwin and Sampson visited doctors directly, paying them for unnecessary prescriptions in their names and for others, took possession of the drugs, and spread them through the region.

Last week, Dr. Lahham was sentenced to nine years behind bars. Erwin was given nearly 16 years and Sampson was dunned with an eight-year term.