Tampa residents Bridget Luzod, 42, and Dr. Victor Silva, 79, have been hit with a bevy of charges including conspiring to distribute controlled substances and the unlawful distribution of the very same, as announced by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. According to the Department of Justice, if found guilty on all counts, both Luzod and Silva could be looking at up to 20 years each behind the iron of a federal prison cell.

Within the allegations, it's detailed how the scheme was operated out of Thrive Medical Clinic by owner Luzod, who managed to pull the wool over the eyes of her patients by exhibiting herself as a healthcare provider. Notwithstanding the fact that she earned an x-ray machine operator license, which was left unrenewed from 2018 until this March, neither did she have the proper licensing nor a DEA registration number that would greenlight her to legally prescribe controlled substances.

Dr. Silva, who was pegged to act as the clinic's medical director from around March 2020, effectively stood back from patient care, per the indictment. He's charged with offering up his medical credentials and DEA registration number to Luzod in exchange for a monthly stipend. Subsequently, Luzod took to offering treatments to her clients, including prescriptions for Adderall and hydrocodone, using a stamped "signature" of Silva, as the action make the connection between what is claimed and what is conveyed.

This case is yet to see the light of a courtroom. Drug Enforcement Administration and multiple local law enforcement agencies collaborated in uncovering the facts of this case, which will be subsequently prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael M. Gordon, announced the charges.