Jeffrey 'Rock Doc' Young sentenced to 20 years
Jackson "Rock Doc" Jeffrey Young has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the unlawful distribution of opioids like fentanyl and oxycodone, outside the realm of medical necessity.
He was convicted in April of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances, maintaining a drug-involved premise, and 13 counts of distributing controlled substances, six of which involved distribution to a pregnant woman.
Judge John T. Fowlkes reached the verdict on Monday afternoon at the Odell Horton Federal Building in Memphis following Young's sentencing postponement in December 2023.
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Young, a previous nurse practitioner, maintained a "party-like atmosphere" in the workplace, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. One of Young's staff members who testified during the trial corroborated this sentiment, sharing that the staff were prescribed essentially anything they wanted.
“The self-proclaimed ‘Rock Doc’ abused the power of the prescription pad to supply his small community with hundreds of thousands of doses of highly addictive prescription opioids to obtain money, notoriety, and sexual favors,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
'Guilty of devastatingly bad judgment'
Struggling to speak the words and wiping tears from his eyes, Young began his final statement by sharing the guilt he found himself experiencing during the trial process.
"Guilty of devastatingly bad judgment and complete and utter moral failings," Young said.
He apologized to his mother, father and sister, all of whom sat beside each other in his support. Young pleaded with Fowlkes to have mercy, declaring that he was throwing himself at the mercy of the court.
"I want to apologize to my patients for those of you who put your trust in me," he said.
Young has served 58 months in jail so far, a period longer than his "Preventagenix" medical practice in Jackson was in operation.
Various social media posts were presented before the court showing Young partying and making light of his illegal prescription writing. He says seeing the exhibits made him "embarrassed and ashamed of the things I've done."
"I've always tried to live a life worthy of the gifts I've been given," Young said. "I just want the opportunity to atone."
In some of his final words to the court, Young referred to Romans 11:29: "For God's gift and his call is irrevocable."
Final testimonies
Two of his patients took to the stand to share their positive experiences with Young as their physician.
Andy Azbill and his mother Barbara Blankenship, both of whom were being treated by the Rock Doc, say that he was attentive and thorough.
"Jeff treated me like I was the only patient he has for the day," Blankenship said.
Four other patients, all of whom submitted affidavits sharing their positive experiences while under Young's care, sat in solidarity with his family.
An unwarranted disparity
The prosecution recommended a 40-year sentence for the Rock Doc, meaning he would be released at age 90.
Young's attorney Claiborne Ferguson vouched that the sentence should be structured in a way that would allow Young to "get out," expressing that the government's recommendation of 480 months was an "unwarranted disparity."
Disparity refers to an individual not being sentenced accurately for their crimes. Ferguson argued that a 40-year sentence is unwarranted for Young's charges and that he would likely die in prison.
"The 'Rock Doc' is dead, but I just hope Jeff Young doesn't die in prison," he said.
According to Ferguson, Young has "stayed out of trouble" while incarcerated, has undergone relapse prevention treatments and anger management, and works in the commissary.
Fowlkes prefaced his compromise of a 20-year sentence by acknowledging the severity of the case but distinguished what a sufficient, but not greater than necessary, sentence is.
He says the sentence reflects "the proof in the case being so egregious."
"I think that takes into account everything I've heard," Fowlkes said.
The 240-month sentence will be applied to all charges and served concurrently. If eligible for parole, he will be under supervised release for six years with special conditions mandating various trainings and programs to be completed.
He has 14 days from the day of judgment filing to appeal the ruling.
For tips, questions, or stories to share, contact Sarah Best at srbest@gannett.com or by phone at (731) 313-3132.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: 'Rock Doc' Jeffrey Young sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday
