Doctor’s receptionist charged in prescription drug bust

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A receptionist at a doctor’s office, along with several family members and friends, are facing charges in connection with a prescription drug ring.

Investigators with the State Bureau of Investigation and four law enforcement agencies arrested Amy Wynne Blankenship, 36. Blankenship is facing 35 drug charges including fraud/forgery, trafficking, conspiracy and simple possession.

Blankenship was a receptionist in a Hampstead doctor’s office from where investigators said she called in unauthorized prescriptions to local pharmacies in the names of her brothers and friends who then picked up the drugs.

Investigators say these people are also charged with fraud/forgery, trafficking and simple possession: Michael A. Wynne, 24; Stephen D. Wynne, 31; Matthew Cooper, 26; Lavon Gavins, 31; and Elizabeth Andrews.

More than 6,000 illegally obtained pills valued at $50,000 were involved in the investigation, officials said. Most of the illegally obtained drugs were Lorcet.

This investigation was conducted by the Wilmington Police Department, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department, Carolina Beach Police Department, Pender County Sheriff’s Office and the SBI.