Gilbert Ross Ghearing, Federal Drug Distribution, Tennessee 2019

Nashville, Tennessee, May 17, 2019 - Gilbert Ross Ghearing, a 65-year-old physician from Livingston, Tennessee, was arrested at his practice in Celina, Tennessee, this morning by federal agents.

Ghearing, the owner of a family medical practice in Celina, Tennessee, was charged with violating the Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.

According to the complaint, Ghearing repeatedly prescribed Schedule II and Schedule IV drugs, including benzodiazepines and opiates, outside the usual course of practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose between August 2016 and February 2019.

The complaint details allegations of prescribing these drugs to patients who exhibited a high potential for abuse and had a past medical history of abuse, including multiple instances of overdoses.

Records filed with the Court also reflect that on May 15, 2019, Ghearing booked a flight to depart on May 19, 2019, with a final destination to the Marshall Islands, while under investigation for federal offenses.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Alistair Newbern ordered Ghearing detained this afternoon, pending a detention and preliminary hearing on May 22, 2019.

If convicted, Ghearing faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdtn/pr/celina-physician-arrested-federal-drug-distribution-charges