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Reuters
Ryan Vermilion, former head trainer of the Washington Commanders, appeared in federal district court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday, facing charges of illegal prescription drug distribution.
The Drug Enforcement Administration raided Washington's team headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia last October in connection with the investigation into Vermilion, who was fired by the commander on Friday. He is accused of giving his NFL player oxycodone without a prescription.
Vermillion agreed to stay the prosecution. That means the charges against him could be dropped if he complies with the court's terms over the next 12 months.
The NFL also suspended his Vermillion indefinitely. Until Friday, he was on leave from the team.
According to the Federal Attorney's Office's findings of fact, prosecutors allege that Vermillion only distributed painkillers to players with football-related injuries and received no financial benefit from doing so.
However, Vermillion was not a licensed physician and did not have legal authority to prescribe drugs. The commander has two doctors who can prescribe oxycodone to players if needed. According to prosecutors, Vermillion was said to have had one of the team doctor's prescription pads. there is
Vermillion said he worked for the Carolina Panthers for 18 seasons. When former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera took the same role in Washington in 2020, he brought Vermillion with him.
"Over the years, I have seen firsthand the positive impact Ryan has on the team," Rivera told the team's website at the time. "His main focus will always be player health and he will be very important to the Redskins." Rivera released a statement on Friday regarding the Vermillion situation. , in which he emphasized that the government "sees organizations as witnesses, not as objects or objects of investigation." "I learned that I signed a contract that I signed, but I will not be charged for the next 12 months as long as I meet certain conditions," Rivera said. “While the situation was disappointing and no criminal charges were filed, we had to move in a different direction. Ryan's employment was terminated.”
– Field Level Media
