Opioid pill mill, via Crystal River medical facility, taken down; four people arrested
CCSO photo graphic.
"Operation Flip the Script," conducted by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Citrus County, Florida - On August 15, 2024, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) released the results of a recent large-scale investigation by the agency's Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) called Operation "Flip the Script," in which four people have been arrested,
"Operation 'Flip the Script' led to major breakthroughs in combating narcotics trafficking and organized crime in Citrus County. Numerous arrests have already been made, and substantial quantities of both narcotics and firearms have been seized. However, the numbers will continue to grow, as there is still extensive evidence currently under examination," said CCSO Community Relations Specialist Madeline Scarborough,
Operation "Flip the Script" began when TIU detectives received credible information that Tri-County Medical Center, LLC, a licensed primary care medical facility located at 7393 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy. in Crystal River, Florida was illegally operating as a pain-management clinic. Through the clinic, the suspects illicitly distributed 39,905 controlled substance prescriptions, primarily opioid-based medications - a total count of at least 3,413,377 pills.
Opioid-based medications, such as oxycodone, have a high potential for abuse, often with fatal consequences. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a single dose of oxycodone greater than 40 milligrams can cause fatal respiratory depression.
When detectives analyzed just the oxycodone and methadone prescriptions from Tri-County Medical Center, LLC, 21,856 prescriptions were issued, totaling 2,420,949 pills. According to the CCSO, this amount of oxycodone and methadone has the potential to kill approximately 1,210,000 people - enough lethal doses to kill every citizen of Citrus County seven times over.
The investigation revealed that the medical center's owner/manager, 46 year-old Ernest Bernard Scriven, of Lecanto, Florida, also known as "B," orchestrated a scheme to obtain illegal prescriptions for controlled substances, including oxycodone and methadone. Scriven conspired with an employee of the medical facility, 35 year-old Kendra Lynn Johnson, of Inverness, Florida, to have prescriptions sent to multiple pharmacies around the state for people who were not legitimate patients and had never seen the doctor. In turn, Scriven and Johnson received cash payments from buyers for these illegal prescriptions.
Over the course of several months, undercover operatives from the TIU and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were able to secure multiple prescriptions for trafficking amounts of oxycodone - without visiting the medical facility or being examined by a doctor. Payments were made directly to Scriven and Johnson for these illicit prescriptions.
On June 12, 2024, federal and state search warrants were executed by the DEA, accompanied by CCSO detectives, and a raid was conducted on the Tri-County Medical Center, LLC. As a result, a large quantity of records were seized and Kendra Lynn Johnson was arrested.
At the same time, the CCSO TIU, assisted by the CCSO SWAT team, executed a state search warrant at Ernest Bernard Scriven's residence in Lecanto, Florida. This search warrant led to Scriven's arrest and the discovery of substantial evidence, including trafficking amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cannabis, prescription medications, firearms, and documentation linking Scriven to criminal activity occurring at the medical facility.
Over the next several weeks, additional search warrants were served at storage units throughout Citrus County that had been rented by Scriven. These search warrants resulted in the seizure of trafficking amounts of marijuana, a narcotic "kilo" press; multiple vehicles, trailers, and vessels, many of which had been stolen and/or the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) had been swapped; and further evidence of illicit operations that had occurred at Tri-County Medical Center.
Notably, 160 firearms were recovered during a search warrant executed at a storage unit in Crystal River, 156 of which were linked to a 2019 burglary in Hernando County, Florida. An associate of Scriven, 37 year-old David Alfonso Henriquez, of Crystal River, Florida, was identified in connection with the Hernando County burglary. Henriquez was charged with trafficking in cannabis, and 156 counts of grand theft of a firearm. The TIU has partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in reference to the firearms case, which is ongoing.
As the investigation continued into Tri-County Medical Center, LLC, 44 year-old Shalena Tashaca Scriven, of Crystal River, Florida, the sister of Ernest Bernard Scriven, was found to have been receiving oxycodone and methadone prescriptions for well over a year. During the investigation, it was confirmed that she had never been an actual patient of the medical facility and had never been seen by the doctor. Since receiving her first prescription in 2022, she has received 3,300 oxycodone and methadone pills. Some of those pills she received directly, while some of them were obtained by her brother. As a result, Shalena Scriven was arrested for trafficking in oxycodone and conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone.
"Shielding a limitless illicit narcotic operation behind the same laws and regulations meant to protect our citizens is despicable," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Once again, our outstanding partnerships with the state and local agencies, such as the Fifth Judicial Circuit and the Tampa Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, was instrumental in bringing this case to light. From day one as your sheriff, my statement has been clear: 'Illicit narcotics are not welcome in Citrus County.' Ernest Bernard Scriven, we found you. CCSO will remain fiercely dedicated to ridding our streets of deadly narcotics. I am beyond proud of the effort the TIU put behind shutting down Scriven's operation."
This is an ongoing investigation in which CCSO and it's partnering agencies are working to determine exactly how many prescriptions were issued illicitly. The following individuals have been arrested. with additional charges pending:
Ernest Bernard Scriven, 46, of Lecanto, Florida, an eight-time convicted felon; his initial bond was set at none:
• racketeering (the racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act)
• trafficking in oxycodone (3 counts)
• unlawful use of a two-way communication device (2 counts)
• trafficking in methamphetamine
• possession of fentanyl
• possession of cannabis with intent to distribute
• trafficking in cannabis over 25 pounds (3 counts)
• possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (residential search warrant)
• possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (157 counts)
Kendra Lynn Johnson, 35, of Inverness, Florida; her initial bond was set at none:
• trafficking in oxycodone (6 counts)
• unlawful use of a two-way communication device (4 counts)
Shalena Tashaca Scriven, 44, of Crystal River, Florida; her initial bond was set at none:
• trafficking in oxycodone
• conspiracy to traffic oxycodone
David Alfonso Henriquez, 37, of Crystal River, Florida; his initial bond was set at none:
• trafficking in cannabis
• grand theft of a firearm (156 counts)
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring
justice for the community. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. If you have information pertaining to this investigation, please contact the CCSO by phone at (352) 249-2790.
About the CCSO Tactical Impact Unit (TIU):
The responsibilities of the Tactical Impact Unit's responsibilities include narcotics investigations, street-level reverse stings, routine checks for narcotics in schools, and traffic interdiction. The unit coordinates and assists other organizations and departments in combating street-level drug crimes. The unit's detectives identify, investigate, and infiltrate street-level to high-level narcotics dealers and their organizations within Citrus County. They work closely with other units within the Criminal Investigations Division as well as local, state, and federal authorities.