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Paul P. Cheng, 28, an anesthesiologist from Enid, was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on four counts of illegal distribution of three prescription controlled drugs, according to John C. Richter, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
According to the indictment, Cheng diverted the drugs Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, and Alprazolam to a non-patient outside the usual course of professional medical practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.
Fentanyl is the generic name for a narcotic pain reliever used with anesthesia for surgery and is a Schedule II controlled substance. zolpidem. Hydrocodone, also known as Lortab, is the generic name for a narcotic pain killer and is a Schedule III controlled substance. Alprazolam, also known as Xanax, is a tranquilizer and is a Schedule VI controlled substance. All three drugs are available only by prescription.
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The indictment alleges that several times a week from January 2004 to May 2006, Cheng withdrew Fentanyl from vials intended for surgeries at a hospital and distributed it to someone who was not his patient. It is alleged that Cheng provided a prescriptions for Hydrocodone and Alprazolam to an individual who was not his patient.
If convicted, Cheng faces up to 20 years in prison plus a fine of up to $1 million on the first count, up to five years plus a fine up to $250,000 on the second count, and up to three years plus a fine up to $250,000 on the third and fourth counts, according to Richter.
The case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Sengel.
Copyright 2006 Dolan Media Newswires
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