Federal, state agents raid doctor's office in Peters
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Federal and state agents raided a doctor's office in Peters today where the Drug Enforcement Administration served an order barring the doctor from prescribing controlled substances.
Agents with the DEA served Oliver Herndon with an immediate suspension order when they arrived at his offices at 8 a.m. this morning. In tandem with agents from the FBI and state Attorney General's Office, they also executed a search warrant, said Gary Davis, assistant special agent in charge of the DEA office in Pittsburgh.
Agents remained in the office, located at 1000 Waterdam Plaza, until the afternoon, while they continued their search for records and "document evidence," Agent Davis said. He said controlled substances would be confiscated if agents came upon them.
The DEA obtained the order on Friday after receiving a complaint that Dr. Herndon was prescribing narcotics without medical purposes. Dr. Herndon is permitted to continue practicing medicine and to prescribe drugs that are not controlled substances.
Agent Davis declined to say if Dr. Herndon would face criminal charges, but added "evidence gathered in this process" would be presented to prosecutors and to a grand jury, if necessary. The U.S. Attorney's office confirmed that a raid had been performed, but would not comment on possible charges.
Dr. Herndon could not be reached for comment. The answering service for his office said the office was closed today.
According to his website, Dr. Herndon is board certified in palliative care, is the corporate medical director for a statewide hospice service and serves as the medical director in four nursing homes.
First Published February 14, 2012 2:26 pm
