CANTON, GA — A four-month investigation into fraudulent prescriptions being passed on to area pharmacies has led to the arrest of a medical assistant and two others in Cherokee County. The investigation began in October when agents with the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad received a tip about alleged fraudulent prescriptions being submitted to Kroger pharmacies in the county.

CMANS' investigation revealed that 30-year-old Tiffany Martin, a medical assistant with WellStar Neurosurgery, was "involved in stealing prescriptions" written for patients with legitimate medical needs. The agency also contends Martin was involved in stealing insurance information from the healthcare system's office. The stolen prescriptions were taken to pharmacies in Cherokee County and were filled by a person identified as Dewaski Martin. CMANS Commander Phil Price said Tiffany Martin referred Martin as her boyfriend.

"The victim from whom the prescriptions were stolen was a patient of Wellstar Neurosurgery, 47 years of age and disabled," CMANS said. While the stolen prescription was written to obtain oxycodone, agents also learned Martin was also calling in prescriptions for Xanax for Martin to fill, CMANS added. Martin, a Canton resident, was arrested on Dec. 18, 2017, and is charged with two counts each of identity theft, acquisition of controlled substance by fraud and exploitation of a disabled person. Martin, 25, also of Canton, was taken into custody on Nov. 20, 2017, and is charged with forgery in the first degree, identity theft and acquisition of a controlled substance by fraud.

CMANS agents also got a tip accusing Shelby O'Ryan Scoville, a 32-year-old veterinarian technician living in Woodstock, of forging prescriptions. Previously employed by Hollyberry Animal Clinic in Roswell, the narcotics agency believes Scoville fabricated prescriptions for alprazolam, an anti-anxiety medication, and the painkiller tramadol in the name of her dog and filled them at the Kroger Pharmacy at 6766 Hickory Flat Highway in Canton. Other prescriptions were believed to have been filled in the Roswell and Alpharetta, and those cases are being investigated by their police departments. Scoville is charged in Cherokee County with two counts each of identity theft, acquisition of a controlled substance by fraud and forgery. She was initially arrested on Jan. 3 for probation violation and the aforementioned charges were formally secured on Jan. 5.

Medical professionals and their staff members have information at their fingertips that could provide them access to powerful controlled medications in an effort to serve patients who have legitimate needs, CMANS said on its Facebook page. However, when employees fail to live up to that responsibility, it can lead to the "illegal diversion of controlled drugs into the hands of those who do not have a medical need" — often at the expense of those who need treatment for a real medical problem, the agency notes.

The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad is a joint task force working to investigate drug related violations. Participating agencies include the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Canton Police Department, Woodstock Police Department, Holly Springs Police Department, Ball Ground Police Department, Cherokee County Marshal's Office, District Attorney's Office for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, and Georgia State Patrol. Citizens may call in tips anonymously at (770) 345-7920 or may speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.