LaGrange doctor with office in Phenix City charged with drug distribution

A LaGrange doctor with an office in Phenix City was taken into custody Thursday after he was indicted by a federal grand jury, U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. of the Middle District of Alabama said Friday.

Dr. Robert M. Ritchea is charged with drug distribution and money laundering in what authorities described as a “pill mill,” a medical clinic created to dispense controlled substances inappropriately, unlawfully and for non-medical reasons. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count in addition to substantial penalties and restitution.

The indictment accuses Ritchea of writing prescriptions for schedule II medications such as hydrocodone and knowing the patients had no legitimate medical need for the medications. The doctor used proceeds to purchase schedule II medication, including hydromorphone and hydrocodone directly from a manufacturer. He was allowed to fill unlawful and unnecessary prescriptions of patients without using a pharmacy.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division. Agencies assisting in the investigation include Opelika, Alabama Police Department, Chambers County, Alabama Drug Task Force, the Auburn, Alabama Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Russell County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office, and the Lawrence County Alabama Sheriff’s Office.

Prosecutors in the case are assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Ross and Rand N. Neeley .

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This story was originally published May 13, 2016 at 8:21 PM with the headline "LaGrange doctor with office in Phenix City charged with drug distribution."