Former N.J. dentist sentenced in painkiller scheme

A former northern New Jersey dentist who admitted dispensing a popular painkilling drug in exchange for sexual favors has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Succasunna dentist Ronald Jupiter must serve at least nine months of the sentence imposed Friday before he becomes eligible for parole. But he plans to seek entry into an intensive supervision program that could allow him to go free earlier.

Prosecutors say Jupiter wrote prescriptions for Percocet for undercover officers who came to his office on multiple occasions. Jupiter never conducted a medical exam or checked for symptoms before prescribing the drug.

Authorities had said the 62-year-old Jupiter solicited the female undercover officers for sex. He was arrested at a hotel in Roxbury after allegedly setting up a liaison with the officers.