ABINGDON -- A federal judge imposed fines of $634.5 million this afternoon against a pharmaceutical company and three of its executives for the deceptive marketing of OxyContin.

Judge James Jones accepted a plea agreement that spared Michael Friedman, the former president and CEO of Purdue Pharma; Howard Udell, the company's chief legal counsel; and Paul Goldenheim, its director of medical affairs, from jail sentences.

A potent prescription painkiller, OxyContin has been blamed for widespread addiction, crime and death in far Southwest Virginia and across the country.

Dozens of people who have suffered harm and tragedy from OxyContin abuse urged Jones to reject the agreement, saying the company was getting off too lightly.

Jones said that while he was troubled by the lack of jail sentences, he decided to accept the plea agreement.