Roxbury Dentist Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Dispensing of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Published on June 17, 2013
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Dr. Ronald Jupiter, 62 years old, of Roxbury, pled guilty today to Second Degree Dispensing of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance in connection with dispensing Percocet in return for soliciting sex from undercover law enforcement officers.
Dr. Jupiter operated a dental practice in the Succasunna section of Roxbury. The investigation into his activities began with a tip from a local pharmacist who contacted the Roxbury Police Department regarding suspicious pain medication prescriptions being written by Jupiter. Investigators from the State Division of Consumer Affairs, looking into the matter, identified a pattern of suspicious prescription dispensing by the dentist. During the investigation, undercover officers from the Hopatcong Borough Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, along with a cooperating witness, visited Jupiter's office seeking medication without any dental pain or issues. Jupiter issued prescriptions without conducting exams or discussing physical ailments. Jupiter refused monetary payment for his services but instead solicited the undercover officers for sex.
In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted to unlawfully dispensing a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous substance for no medical purpose by providing prescriptions to individuals that he was not medically treating.
Under the terms of the plea agreement the State will recommend that the defendant be sentenced to 3 years in State Prison. The State will permit the defendant to buy back his wife's 2005 Acura which was seized at the time of the arrest in exchange for $5,000.
Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Brad Seabury represented the State in the plea agreement.
Prescription drug abuse is a national epidemic, and enablers such as Dr. Jupiter contribute to the public health crisis caused by this abuse, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. "This investigation clearly highlights that law enforcement agencies stand united against the illegal flow of prescription drugs into New Jersey's communities."
The Honorable Stuart Minkowitz, J.S.C. presided over the plea. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on August 2, 2013.
Acting Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Chief James Simonetti and the Roxbury Police Department, Chief Robert Brennan and the Hopatcong Police Department, Chief Keith Licata and the Mount Arlington Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutors Office Special Enforcement Unit, and the Morris County Narcotics Task Force for their efforts in the investigation and resolution of this matter.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.