Sammy Becdach, accused of writing illegal drug prescriptions, was sentenced to prison

DECATUR, Ala. (WAFF) – A former Decatur oncologist accused of illegally prescribing drugs was sentenced after a federal trial Wednesday, according to court documents obtained by WAFF.

Sammy Becdach accused of prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines Court documents reveal it was for people who were not his patients, including a woman with whom he had a romantic relationship.

In December 2020, a woman with whom Becdach was romantically involved died of a morphine and fentanyl overdose, according to court documents. The woman’s family alleges Becdac gave her opioid pills, including oxycodone.

Becdach also wrote opioid prescriptions for himself, according to Prescription Drug Monitoring Program data determined in 2018 and 2019, according to court documents.

Following a medical investigation by the state board, court documents state Becdach’s medical license was revoked for unprofessional conduct.

On Wednesday, Becdach was sentenced to 24 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, one of his attorneys, Tommy Spina, told WAFF. It was reported that the remaining counts of the indictment were dismissed and he would also have to pay $100,000.

Becdach will receive credit for the five months he spent in custody while awaiting sentencing and will serve 85% of his 24-month sentence.

Becdach will be sentenced to three years of supervised release after his release from federal custody. Spina told WAFF he had to be kept under house arrest with an ankle monitor for one year out of three years.

The government requested that Becdach be sentenced to 37 months (three years, one month) in federal prison.

Becdach’s attorneys, Spina and Jerry Barclay, said they were grateful the Judge imposed a reasonable sentence.

“I ask you not to judge Sammy for deteriorating for 3 years of his life,” Spina said. “He lived an exemplary life, contributing to other people in a positive way. “He has a plan for his future and looks forward to becoming a positive member of society as soon as possible.”

Becdach pleaded guilty to two charges of illegal distribution Distribution of a controlled substance in September 2024, according to the Department of Justice.

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