Defendant in Lansdell Family Clinic case scheduled for change-of-plea hearing Nov. 4

A change of plea hearing is set for the owner of a local healthcare clinic shut down in 2021 following a federal investigation into claims of conspiracy to distribute opioids and financial fraud.

Tawnya Lee Lansdell was scheduled to appear in court for a jury trial on Nov. 4. Instead, she is now expected to appear in court that day for a change-of-plea hearing. Lansdell has maintained a plea of not guilty since charges were filed against her.

Lansdell was among a number of associated nurse practitioners and pharmacists arraigned in federal court in Texarkana in 2022 on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose.

A superseding indictment filed in April of 2022 added allegations of healthcare fraud and wire fraud related to federal pandemic relief funds.

The only defendant named in the superseding indictment in count one – which alleges conspiracy to distribute opioids – who is also accused of fraud is the lead defendant and owner of Lansdell Family Clinics, Tawnya Lee Lansdell.

Lansdell Family Clinic PLLC and Lansdell Farms LLC were also charged in the superseding indictment in counts alleging fraud. The farm is located in Little River County.

Lansdell’s co-defendants include Wendy Wynette Gammon, Shelly Rae Eastridge and Bonita Lois Martin. Their pretrial hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12.

Federal prosecutors claim the defendants “knowingly and intentionally conspired to possess with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled substances, hydrocodone and oxycodone, and other Schedule II, III and IV controlled substances, without an effective prescription.”

The dates these offenses are alleged to have occurred range from January 2019 to May 2021 at Lansdell Family Clinics and partnering pharmacies in De Queen, Dierks, Lockesburg and Texarkana.

That investigation came to light in May of 2021 after the DEA received information from the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office over the potential illegal distribution of opioids at these locations. DEA agents raided several area Lansdell Family Clinic locations as well as Pruett’s Pharmacy. No arrests were made at the time but agents seized computers, documents and other items related to the investigation.

Prosecutors are seeking prison time in addition to asset forfeiture of property obtained as a result of the alleged drug trafficking and wire fraud as well as a monetary judgment totaling $325,000.