Leader of prescription fraud ring sentenced to 15 years in Cherokee County
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - A major RICO case involving six defendants has been closed in Cherokee County, with the final guilty plea entered on Jan. 15. District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway announced the resolution, which stems from a scheme involving fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances using a stolen prescription pad.
The operation, led by Leslie Joann Archambault, 49, involved obtaining and filling fraudulent prescriptions for medications such as Adderall, Alprazolam, Hydrocodone, Phentermine, and Tramadol. Archambault was sentenced to 15 years, with the first three years to be served in prison and the remaining 12 years on probation.
The backstory
The scheme came to light in September 2022 when a Roswell medical practice discovered Archambault, a former employee, was fraudulently filling prescriptions using a doctor's credentials. Investigators determined Archambault had stolen prescription pads from her former workplace and used them to write prescriptions for herself and her co-conspirators.
Prescriptions were filled at multiple pharmacies across Cherokee County, with law enforcement linking the fraudulent activity to Archambault and her associates.
What we know
The six defendants pleaded guilty on different dates, with their sentences reflecting their roles in the enterprise:
Leslie Joann Archambault, 49: Guilty plea on January 26, 2023, to violation of the RICO Act; sentenced to 15 years (three in prison, 12 on probation).
Gina Marie Moson, 49: Guilty plea on January 15, 2025, to violation of the RICO Act; sentenced to two years on probation.
Jeffrey Moson, 46: Guilty plea on December 6, 2024, to violation of the RICO Act; sentenced to three years on probation.
Jessica Rose Weaver, 38: Guilty plea on April 19, 2023, to violation of the RICO Act; sentenced to three years on probation.
Cathy Rebecca Hudson, 41: Guilty plea on June 15, 2023, to violation of the RICO Act; sentenced to two years on probation.
Bryan Omae Chirangu, 35: Guilty plea on December 13, 2022, to fraud/theft in obtaining a controlled substance and possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance; sentenced to five years on probation.
What they're saying
"By utilizing the RICO Act, we could demonstrate each co-conspirator's specific actions while clearly showing that one defendant was the mastermind behind the enterprise," said District Attorney Treadaway.
The case was investigated by the Cherokee Multi Agency Narcotics Squad, with assistance from the Holly Springs Police Department. It was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Damion Overstreet, part of the Gang and Organized Crime Unit in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit.
Law enforcement and the District Attorney's Office reaffirmed their commitment to combatting all forms of organized crime in Cherokee County.
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