Officials Charge Indiana Doctor With Felony Drug Charges

When you think of drug crimes what comes to mind? Many people might picture dealers and buyers lurking in dark alleys, or high society individuals in the back rooms of nightclubs. However, despite what you might see on TV shows, there are many other kinds of drug offenses that people face every day in the Fort Wayne area. Some of the leading types of drug offenses involve problems with prescription drugs. Unfortunately, some people get hooked on prescription medication through no fault of their own. On the other hand, others are charged with over-prescribing these kinds of drugs.

An Indiana pain doctor is facing several charges after authorities say he overprescribed controlled substances to many of his patients, among other things. The 52-year-old doctor, from Fort Wayne has been charged with eight felony counts for improperly prescribing controlled substances, among them morphine. The man has specifically been charged with three counts of registration offenses tied to prescription drugs, three counts of forgery and one count of reckless prescribing and anther count of Medicaid Fraud.

Meanwhile, a nurse practitioner that worked at one of the doctor’s pain clinics is also facing charges. The 56-year-old woman has been charged with three counts of forgery and three counts of registration offenses. According to authorities the doctor and his clinics allegedly falsified prescriptions and other medical records, and allegedly put patients in actual or potential harm with their reckless actions.

The doctor in question has been released on bond, while the nurse practitioner was still being held in jail on bond. Authorities say they had been investigating the doctor and his 12 pain clinics for five moths before raiding one of his offices in Muncie last October.

Although the evidence against both this doctor and the nurse-practitioner paints a bad picture, the fact is everyone is entitled to a fair and balanced legal process, including a fair trial in a court of law should it reach that point. Even though authorities appear to have a strong case in this situation, things are not always as they seem at first glance. If you are facing any kind of drug crime charge don’t hesitate to seek legal representation. The penalties for drug crimes are very serious. Therefore, don’t wait to contact us at The Bellinger Law Office in Fort Wayne at 260-428-2214, or by clicking here.