03/28/2024
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By Charlotte Smith

Dr. Jong Whan Kim, 59, and Tammy Lynn Thompson, 53 are facing more charges and made millions on opioids and other drugs according to Columbus County officials. On Monday the two accused of dispensing drugs illegally had a court hearing. A multi-million dollar bail was set for both. 

According to Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker and Columbus County Sheriff Lewis Hatcher’s Office an investigation began involving the pair after anonymous reports were filed at both their offices. A Bladen County investigator said Kim has been on the radar for a while for over prescribing opioids. 

According to the District Attorney Jon David the duo have been prescribing medications on a cash only basis and without legitimate medical reasons. While some news reports say the investigation was going on for years, during the last six months the couple raked in millions of dollars handing out prescriptions.

Due to the fact the couple could flee with the money they made off the drug deals, the District Attorney’s office asked the Judge for a multi-million dollar bond for both defendants. According to a news report by WECT the judge upheld the current bonds. Dr. Kim has a bond set at $5.5 million and Thompson has a bond set at $3.5 million.

A representative from the North Carolina Medical Board was present at the court hearing on Monday, July 2 seeking to have Kim’s medical license surrendered according to WECT’s news report.

Sheriff McVicker said on Monday afternoon he already had a Bladen County resident stop him and thank him for his team’s work on the investigation.

Additional charges have been obtained for both Thompson and Dr. Kim according to Columbus County Sheirff Hatcher.  Tammy Thompson’s bond is now $3,540,000.00 secured.  Dr. Kim’s bond remains at $5,580,000.00 secured.
The additional charges are as follows:

Dr. Jong Whan Kim

Jong Whan Kim
4 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin
2 Felony counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a School
2 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and/or Deliver Marijuana
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance

Tammy Thompson

Tammy Lynn Thompson
7 Felony counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a School
2 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and/or Deliver Marijuana
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance
4 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin

 

BladenOnline.com has reached out to the Columbus County District Attorney’s office and the Columbus County Sheirff’s Department for more information. More information will be published as soon as it is made available. 

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