Baltimore Co. dental assistant, family members sentenced for illegal opioid distribution

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD (WBFF) — A Baltimore County dental assistant and her family members were sentenced to suspended prison terms and probation for illegally distributing oxycodone prescription drugs to a licensed dentist.

Samantha Cook was given a 10-year suspended sentence with three years of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, and is excluded from participating as a provider in any state or federal healthcare programs for her role in the crime.

Alice Deese, Cook’s mother, was sentenced to probation before judgment with five years of probation, and Janice Deese, Cook’s step-grandmother, was sentenced to probation before judgment with 18 months of supervised probation.

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Authorities said that law enforcement received a complaint through a tip line that Dr. Andrew Fried was providing dental services to patients at his clinic, Perry Hall Family Dental, while under the influence of opioids.

The tipster reported that Fried was purchasing oxycodone pills from Cook, his part-time dental assistant.

From January 2025 through May 21, 2025, authorities did surveillance of Fried, Cook, and the Deese’s, utilizing GPS tracking devices on Fried and Cook’s vehicles.

Officials said that numerous meetings occurred between Fried and Cook where they engaged in hand-to-hand drug deals.

Financial records revealed that over the course of 18 months, Cook sold more than $100,000 worth of oxycodone to Fried.

Cook admitted that she got her supply of oxycodone from her mother, Alice Deese, and her step-grandmother, Janice Deese, who were both Medicare recipients.

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According to Medicaid and Medicare claims data, both Deese’s utilized their benefits to pay for officer visits and prescription pills.

Authorities searched Fried’s dental clinic and found an oxycodone prescription pill bottle that belonged to Alice Deese, and a barbiturates prescription bottle that belonged to Janice Deese’s pet dog.

As part of his plea, Fried admitted that he purchased oxycodone pills on a weekly basis from Cook, and practiced dentistry while under the influence of opioids.

Fried was previously given a 10-year suspended sentence with three years of supervised probation and is also excluded from participating as a provider in any state or federal healthcare program.

“Abusing Medicare and Medicaid benefits to supply illegal opioids doesn’t just break the law, it devastates families and communities,” said Attorney General Anthony Brown, via a press release. “These convictions reflect our commitment to dismantling the networks that fuel Maryland’s opioid crisis.”