  | When Dr. Johnny Clyde Benjamin heard one of his homemade fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone killed a woman, he retorted that she was just another “page in a large stack.” He heard of the death from an unidentified person who helped him distribute the fake opioids in Florida and up the East Coast. The go-between ended up wearing a wire for the DEA and recording the orthopedic surgeon discussing his very lucrative side business. Margaret “Maggie” Crowley, 34 died of an overdose of fentanyl on Sept. 1, 2016. She suffered from chronic back pain and was disabled by it. She was one of 590 opioid deaths in 2016 in Palm Beach County, a record high. |  |
 Pro Spine Center of Vero Beach. | Benjamin’s license remains “clear/active” without a blemish, though he remains in jail with no bond facing up to 40 years in prison on two trafficking counts. The furanylfentanyl that killed Crowley came in a counterfeit pill. A subpoena issued to eBay resulted in records showing a tablet press, die and other materials purchased and delivered to an addresses associated with Benjamin. A federal magistrate in West Palm denied Benjamin bond when he appeared in court last week. If convicted, he will face a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison. |  |
