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'Pill Mill' doctor gets 30-year sentence

WICHITA, Kan., Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A federal judge Wednesday sentenced a Kansas doctor to 30 years in prison for illegal painkiller prescriptions that led to 68 overdose deaths.

U.S. District Judge Monti Belot sentenced Stephen Schneider, 57, to 30 years in prison, while his wife, Linda Schneider, 52, received a 33-year sentence for her extensive role in the crimes, The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle reported.

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In June a jury found the Schneiders guilty of unlawful prescription of drugs, healthcare fraud and money-laundering in a scheme that prosecutors said led to 68 overdose deaths.

The pair were found guilty on five counts of illegally writing prescriptions and 11 counts of fraud; Stephen Schneider was found guilty on two counts of money-laundering, while Linda Schneider was found guilty on 15 counts of money-laundering.

Defense attorneys had requested the minimum sentence of 20 years, while prosecutors sought life behind bars.

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