A Cave City, Kentucky, doctor has been found guilty of illegally dispensing controlled substances and health care fraud. Dr. Christopher Steward, a dentist and nurse practitioner, pleaded guilty to seven criminal counts of knowingly and intentionally distributing and dispensing controlled substances outside the course of professional medical practice and health care fraud.
According to the plea agreement, Steward conspired with patients to acquire possession of Schedule II and Schedule IV controlled substances through misrepresentation and fraud, outside the course of medical practice, in order to distribute and/or acquire possession of prescription pills, mostly for his own use. This scheme occurred on six separate occasions between March 6, 2015, and June 6, 2015.
Additionally, Steward admits to willfully executing a scheme to defraud Kentucky Medicaid, a health care benefit program, in connection with the delivery of payment for health care benefits. He wrote a prescription for alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance, for a patient without the patient’s knowledge or consent. The prescription was subsequently filled by someone other than the patient, again without the patient’s knowledge or consent, and Steward obtained those pills. This fraudulent prescription was paid for by Kentucky Medicaid, through Coventry Managed Care.
Steward was arrested on April 13, 2016, and made an initial appearance before Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl, in Bowling Green. He was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond.
At the time of sentencing, the United States will move for dismissal of Count 8 of the Indictment (identity theft) and agree that a sentencing range between 18 months of imprisonment and 30 months of imprisonment is the appropriate disposition of this case. Further, the defendant will agree to forfeit property located at 212 Broadway Street in Cave City, Kentucky, and a 2009 Ford F-150 white pickup truck.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Weiser, and it results from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Kentucky State Police.
Dr. Steward’s guilty plea serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the law and ensuring that medical professionals operate with integrity. The public expects a high level of trust from those in positions of authority, and it is our duty to hold them accountable when that trust is breached.
The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities from these types of crimes and to bring those responsible to justice.
Related Federal Cases
- Ashland Cardiologist Richard E. Paulus Convicted of Health Care Fraud · Kentucky
- Mark Cornell Pleads Guilty in $3M Oil Investment Fraud · Kentucky
- Garner & Stoian Sentenced for $2M Wire Fraud · Kentucky
- Michael and Jeanette Taylor Guilty in $1.4M Tax Fraud · Kentucky
- Ballwin Man Darrin Landes Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Scheme · Kentucky
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News