Ocean Springs businessman’s prison sentence could be shortened after successful appeal

Ocean Springs businessman Kenneth Ritchey could be out of prison earlier than his anticipated July 2026 release date for conspiring to commit health care fraud.

Ritchie pleaded guilty in March 2023 to conspire with others to sell personal protective equipment at inflated prices during the COVID pandemic. Ritchey appealed the sentence, and the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with him: it did not inflate the PPE as much as the judge ruled and used to set Ritchey’s sentence.

Judge Sul Ozerden relied on a presentence report that set the victims’ loss at $2.3 million, but the appeals panel found that the claim drove the market value of PPE higher than the figures used to calculate the losses. The 5th Circuit ordered Ozerden to recalculate the forfeiture and sentence accordingly, which could shave up to two years, or even three months, off the time he has to serve.

Ozerden Ritchey condemned to five years in prison and ordered to pay $281,086 to the US Department of Veterans Affairs for PPE overcharges. Ozerden is expected to sentence Ritchey at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 30.

The investigation into Ritchey’s dealings began as early as April 2020, when federal agents raided Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus LLC., a wholesale distribution business owned and operated by Ritchey’s wife.