A former Ellensburg doctor, Anna Elperin, has been indicted on 26 felony counts related to issuing fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances and falsifying Department of Transportation (DOT) commercial driver’s license physical examinations. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Washington on November 14, 2025. Elperin, age 42, operated her clinic, Awake Health, PLLC, in Ellensburg between July 2018 and September 2022.
Elperin was arrested by federal law enforcement officers on November 21 and appeared in federal magistrate court three days later.
According to the indictment, Elperin engaged in two main schemes. She allegedly certified commercial driver’s license applicants as physically qualified without proper examinations and failed to transmit required data about these certifications to the DOT. In addition, she is accused of writing false prescriptions for controlled substances outside professional practice standards and for no legitimate medical purpose. Court documents state that Elperin sometimes prescribed drugs to staff members but then took those drugs herself. She also allowed staff at Awake Health to write their own prescriptions using a pre-signed prescription pad.
“This investigation has been ongoing for a long time, and I am proud to work with such diligent investigative agencies who are focused on public safety, especially with the current environment of public concerns related to motor carrier qualifications and safety,” stated United States Attorney Pete Serrano.
The charges against Elperin include conspiracy to defraud the DOT; making false writings or documents; falsification of federal records; conspiracy related to dispensing controlled substances; false statements regarding health care matters; dispensing and distribution of controlled substances; and acquiring controlled substances through misrepresentation or fraud.
At a detention hearing held on November 26 before Magistrate Judge Alex C. Ekstrom, prosecutors argued that Elperin should be detained pending trial due to concerns over substance abuse and alleged threats made toward staff members at Awake Health—including incidents involving a firearm. Judge Ekstrom noted there was no evidence that issues relating to substance or alcohol abuse had been addressed and expressed concern about her mental health.
“This indictment highlights our unwavering commitment to exposing and pursuing fraudulent conduct by medical professionals in the motor carrier industry who are willing to jeopardize public safety,” said Cory LeGars, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General for the Western Region. “Working closely with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will continue to aggressively prevent, detect, and prosecute actions that undermine the integrity of DOT’s safety programs.”
“DEA holds physicians who prescribe controlled substances to a very high standard so they do not become drug dealers with a medical license,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge at DEA Seattle Field Division. “Not only did Dr. Elperin fail to uphold this standard, in some instances she obtained the controlled substances for her personal use. We are proud of the work of DEA and our partners for holding her accountable.”
Before this federal case began, state regulators took action against Elperin’s medical license: The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery restricted her license in December 2021 followed by further restrictions from the Washington State Department of Health in September 2022.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney R. Pratten along with contractor Echo D. Fatsis.
An indictment is an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
Additional details about disciplinary actions against Anna Elperin can be found via the Washington State Department of Health.
