Jacinta Gillis

Investigators have made an arrest in the Operation Open Dollar investigation. Dr. Jacinta Irene Gillis, 41, of 12405 Green Stone Court, Fort Myers, was arrested on a warrant issued by the Office of Attorney General Statewide Prosecutors Office, Tampa Bureau.

She is being held in the Lee County Jail on $1,000,000 bond.

Gillis was arrested during a traffic stop this week at Colonial Blvd. and I-75. She has been charged with the following:

One felony count of racketeering – bond $250,000

One felony count conspiracy to commit racketeering – bond $250,000

One felony count conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance (Oxycodone -28 grams or more) – bond $250,000

One felony count money laundering ($100,000 or more) – bond $250,000

Gov. Rick Scott said he applaud Sheriff Jim Coats, Sheriff Mike Scott, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Office of the Attorney General for their aggressive work to stop prescription drug trafficking in Pinellas and Lee Counties.

“The arrest of Dr. Jacinta Gillis has put another over-prescribing physician out of business and eliminated a well-known supply point for the unlawful dispensation of pharmaceuticals. I appreciate the collaborative efforts of the agencies involved in this investigation and am pleased that they are joining forces with their Regional Drug Enforcement Strike Force,” Scott said.

Detectives with multiple agencies, including the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, served search warrants at the Dollar Medical Clinics after receiving numerous complaints these locations are “pill mills.” One such warrant was executed at 904 Lee Boulevard in Lehigh Acres. In Pinellas County, the addresses are 4427 and 4429 Park Boulevard, Pinellas Park.

Investigators with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Strategic Diversion Task Force and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in conjunction with the Office of Attorney General Statewide Prosecutors Office, Tampa Bureau served search warrants on Doctor Jacinta Gillis’

medical clinics in Pinellas Park (Pinellas County) and Lehigh Acres simultaneously one day last week.

The criminal investigation continues after initially being launched several months ago. Also assisting in the investigation is the Department of Health (DOH) and DEA.

Investigators had received numerous complaints that Gillis was operating a “pill mill” at her clinics and she was operating a medical practice below the standard of care. Investigators served the search warrants to recover additional evidence in the investigation.

Gillis was previously arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for possession of a concealed firearm on Feb. 11, 2010.