New Jersey

By: Tracie Carter 
 

Federal authorities have charged a New Jersey psychiatrist with issuing powerful controlled-substance prescriptions without a legitimate medical purpose, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba.

Ad

 

David Holbrook, 70, of Bloomsbury, is facing a nine-count federal indictment alleging unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances in violation of Title 21, U.S. Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).

 

Holbrook appeared in federal court on November 4, 2025, for his initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa. He was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.

 

According to filings and statements made in court, investigators say that from January 2021 through September 2022, Holbrook, while practicing as a licensed psychiatrist, prescribed Adderall (Schedule II) and Xanax (Schedule IV) on nine separate occasions to multiple patients outside the usual course of professional practice.
 

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine per count.

Ad

 

Acting U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents, task force officers, and DEA diversion investigators under Newark Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz for their work on the case.

Â