New York man charged with impersonating doctor, potentially providing mental health services to over 100 patients over a three year old.

From this report from Q13 Fox

Donald Lee-Edwards was arrested this week and accused of impersonating a clinical psychologist and medical doctor for three years and potentially providing mental health services to over 100 patients, said the Richmond County District Attorney’s office. He is “a dangerous scam artist who never completed any medical school or doctoral program. He merely bestowed upon himself the professional titles of clinical psychologist and medical doctor,” said Daniel Master Jr., Richmond County district attorney.

According to authorities, Lee-Edwards said he worked “extensively with family members and victims of 9/11” and made himself available for home visits. In June, the district attorney’s office was notified of his practice after skeptical patients complained of his unorthodox bedside manner and his prescription methods. CNN affiliate WCBS spoke to one of Lee-Edwards’ patients, Kim Broadie, outside his office. Broadie showed them a bottle of anti-depressants he had been prescribed with a different doctor’s name; the district attorney’s office said Lee-Edwards would call in his prescriptions under the identity of a different doctor with a similar sounding name.

Lee-Edwards operated out of a basement apartment below a two-family residence in Staten Island; he lived in the floor above his office with his parents, officials said.

Photographs released by the district attorney’s office show a waiting room with seating area, a kitchenette, a front desk and rooms for treatment. They also show shelves of blood vials and urine samples and medical equipment throughout the apartment.

Lee-Edwards’ letterhead advertised him as a clinical psychologist, Ph.D., M.D. and L.P., and when CNN called Lee’s business and cell phone numbers for comment, his voice mail did the same. Lee-Edwards and his attorney, Matthew Blum, could not be reached for comment. The district attorney’s office said during Lee-Edwards’ time practicing, he saw “approximately 10 parolees through word-of mouth referrals” and he would talk to their parole officers about session attendance. He also prepared progress reports for parolee’s files, officials said.

The district attorney’s office brought a 12-count indictment against Lee-Edwards, including charges of criminal impersonation, identity theft, unauthorized practice of medicine, criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions. Lee-Edwards is due back in court in September and is being held on a $150,000 bond/$75,000 bail.

VA doctor arrested in Danville for overdose deaths of 3 patients in Indiana

Via this report

A VA doctor was arrested in Danville Thursday morning for reckless homicide charges filed by prosecutors in Indiana.

The criminal counts announced Friday by the Marion County prosecutor's office charge that Dr. John Sturman overprescribed narcotics for pain that resulted in the deaths. The patients died in 2010 and 2011, but aren't identified in court records.

Danville police confirmed today that Sturman was a doctor at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System and was arrested on the warrant at the VA. According to U.S. News and World Report, Sturman was a neurologist in Danville at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System. He has been in practice for 44 years.

The prosecutor's office says Sturman was jailed in Danville, Illinois, pending extradition to Indianapolis. It wasn't immediately clear whether Sturman has an attorney.

The prosecutor's office says Sturman operated a clinic at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis, but lost his admitting privileges in 2012 after he failed to complete medical charting and documentation of patient visits.

Sturman also faces 16 counts of improperly prescribing drugs.

Santa Cruz mental health specialist arrested on child sex assault charges

As reported by KSBW

A 56-year-old man who works as a mental health specialist for Santa Cruz County was arrested Thursday morning.

Christopher McCauley is a well-known mental health specialist and community liaison at the county's Health Services Agency. According to his Facebook page, he works with children for the Health Services Agency. He was booked into jail on suspicion of sexually assaulting a child who is younger than 11 years old. His bail was set at $100,000.

Sheriff's deputies said Child Protective Services agents alerted them about McCauley's inappropriate behavior. McCauley was arrested by sheriff's deputies at 1400 Emeline Ave., where he works in the county health department's building. McCauley is the first person who schools are instructed to call under the Santa Cruz County School Emergency Mental Heath Response Protocol.

Rayne Marr, Public Information Officer for Santa Cruz County, issued the following prepared statement to KSBW:

"This morning a county mental health client specialist in the Health Services Agency was arrested. The county is cooperating fully with law enforcement officials and remains steadfast in our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for our clients. As you know, the employee does have a right to privacy and the county cannot comment on an ongoing law enforcement investigation," Marr said.

When asked if McCauley worked with children for the county, she declined to comment. Calls to McCauley's work phone number were not returned.

The Sheriff’s Office believes that there may be more victims. Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office Sexual Assault Unit at 831-454-7630.

An East Tennessee State University medical school psychiatrist Sues Claiming False Arrest for DUI (Despite Failing Streetside Sobriety Tests)

Apparently local Law Enforcement was not appropriately deferential and arrested him because he failed the tests. Also, if he is in such rough shape (as alleged in the lawsuit), what business does he have being a psychistrist? Note this quote from the story:

Also, during the booking process, Agrawal said Stillwagon’s data entry device made a “machine gun” sound, which further terrified Agrawal.

I sure wouldn't want him even as a regular doctor! Paranoia anyone?

It is rare that a shrink gets the same treatment that patients often do. He also sounds like he is looking for a payday

From a report in the Johnson City Press

An East Tennessee State University medical school psychiatrist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, has sued Washington County, Johnson City and a city police officer over an alleged bogus DUI arrest and his treatment while jailed nearly 36 hours.

Dr. Newton Agrawal filed the lawsuit through his attorney, Richard Pectol, in Washington County Circuit Court May 28, almost one year to the date of his arrest. Agrawal was pulled over around 11:50 p.m. on May 30, 2014, near the intersection of Buffalo and East Main streets by Johnson City Police Officer Kirt Stillwagon and ultimately arrested on two charges — DUI and violation of the light law. Months later, blood alcohol test results showed no alcohol in Agrawal’s system and a toxicology report indicated all drug tests were negative. Both charges were dismissed by state prosecutors in October.

According to the filing, Agrawal had attended a gathering of co-workers at Gourmet & Co. earlier in the evening, where he had one alcoholic drink around 7 p.m. During the time at the restaurant, Agrawal ate a meal and drank water. Around 11:30 p.m., Agrawal left the restaurant to drive home, but was pulled over by Stillwagon, “purportedly for driving with a headlight that was not illuminated,” the suit states.

Agrawal apparently admitted to Stillwagon that he had been at Gourmet & Co. and consumed one alcoholic drink. That’s when Stillwagon asked Agrawal for his license and vehicle registration. According to the warrant charging Agrawal with DUI, Stillwagon said the doctor “fumbled papers, losing focus on what was asked originally.” The warrant does not indicate Stillwagon smelled alcohol, observed bloodshot eyes on Agrawal or that Agrawal had slurred speech or was driving erratically.

Stillwagon then administered several field sobriety tests — finger dexterity, on which Stillwagon said Agrawal did poorly; recite the alphabet from E to Q, which was performed correctly; horizontal gaze nystagmus — the follow-my-finger” test; as well as the walk-a-straight-line test. Both of the last two tests were performed poorly, according to Stillwagon’s affidavit of the arrest.

Agrawal stated in the suit that he was forced to conduct the field sobriety tests on a sloped surface while wearing formal shoes and with flashing lights from three police cars blinding him. He also asked Stillwagon to allow him to calm down for a few minutes because the act of being pulled over, and that multiple police officers responded to the traffic stop, caused him to be nervous and anxious. The lawsuit indicates Stillwagon refused Agrawal any time to calm himself before performing the tests, and he also denies performing poorly on the tests.

Stillwagon took Agrawal to Johnson City Medical Center approximately one hour after the stop for a blood test, but did not perform a breathalyzer, according to the lawsuit.

Once at the jail, Agrawal said he was mistreated by booking officers who refused to allow him to call to a bondsman, tried to force him to sign a statement indicating he was suicidal and then refused Agrawal a mental health assessment when he requested one. Following the booking process, Agrawal said he was told to strip naked, and was then placed in a suicide watch cell where he was kept from May 31, 2014, until the morning of June 2, 2014. Also, during the booking process, Agrawal said Stillwagon’s data entry device made a “machine gun” sound, which further terrified Agrawal.

During that time in the suicide watch cell, Agrawal said he was given only a thin paper sheet to cover himself and was housed with two inmates also placed on suicide watch. Also, Agrawal said he attempted to get the attention of booking officers numerous times to ask to arrange for bond and for his heart medicine, but he was ignored by the officers who sat just feet away from the cell.

Agrawal said in his lawsuit that he did not receive a mental health assessment until June 2, and it was conducted over the phone. That morning he was also allowed to call a bondsman so he could be released from jail. ”Stillwagon’s tortuous acts and omissions as described ... will continue to cause (Agrawal) to suffer fear, terror, nightmares, embarrassment, humiliation, damage to his professional reputation as a medical doctor .... emotional stress, mental anguish, a disruption of his normal everyday life activities, and a loss of the enjoyment and pleasures of life,“ the suit states.

The suit, which states Agrawal also suffered physically from being “slammed by Stillwagon onto the hood of his patrol car and onto the counter in the Washington County Detention Center,” asks for a judgment against the defendants for a total of $1.8 million in compensatory damages. The lawsuit had not been served on the city, county or Stillwagon as of Wednesday morning. Once it is served, the parties have 30 days to file a response.

Psychiatrist who practiced in Nashua allegedly used fake prescription to get drugs

Report from the Union Leader

A Nashua psychiatrist has been arrested by state narcotics investigators and charged with using a bogus prescription to obtain a scheduled drug, N.H. State Police said.

Robert C. Vidaver, 50, of Henniker, was arrested by Henniker police, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the Narcotics and Investigations Unit of the state police.

State police said the arrest followed a four-week investigation, which started after the NIU’s Drug Diversion Section received a complaint about Vidaver.

He is charged with obtaining a controlled drug by fraud.

According to an online listing at the New Hampshire Board of Medicine, Vidaver is a psychiatrist who works at Harbor Homes, a Nashua organization that provides housing, health care, employment, job training and supportive services to the poor and disabled.

Vidaver’s license was issued in 2007 and is set to expire on June 30.

After his arrest, Vidaver was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in Hillsborough District Court on July 28.

Former Halifax psychiatrist charged with child pornography offence

Vis the Global News

A former psychiatrist in Halifax is facing a child pornography charge in relation to a case that’s more than a decade old.

Dr. Curtis Steele, 82, was charged with making child pornography after police launched an investigation last year to look into claims he had taken naked pictures of a 14-year-old female patient.

Steele was arrested on Thursday after he turned himself in at the police station.

He was released under conditions and will appear in court on June 16.

Psychotherapist accused of sexually assaulting court-referred patient

From the report on Michigan Live

A Flint-area psychotherapist is behind bars after authorities claim he sexually abused a patient who was referred to him by the court. Hugh McQuade of Burton was arraigned Wednesday, April 29, on 14 counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Authorities claim he coerced a Genesee County probationer into sex acts.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said the 46-year-old victim was on probation following her conviction on a felony cocaine charge and was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation. Pickell said the woman, who is not being named because she is the victim of an alleged sex crime, went to McQuade, who practiced at the Oakland Psychological Clinic, to fulfill the terms of her probation.

McQuade, 67, allegedly exposed his genitals to the woman while at the clinic, according to Pickell. The actions then allegedly evolved into groping and oral sex, the sheriff said. Pickell said he believes there were at least 14 separate incidents of inappropriate sexual contact between McQuade and the victim."She was forced into doing it," Pickell alleged.

Representatives from the clinic declined to comment on the case. The clinic's website lists McQuade as a staff member at its 2222 S. Linden Road location in Flint Township.

Pickell said his office became aware of the allegations after the victim was arrested for violating her probation by having a drug relapse. The sheriff said McQuade was arrested within two hours of the victim notifying his office of the incident. The victim is still in custody for the suspected probation violation.

A search warrant was executed and Pickell claimed his investigators discovered sexually explicit photos and videos involving McQuade and the victim. There was no attorney listed on file for McQuade.

The incident remains under investigation, and Pickell said he believes at least one other woman may have been victimized. "He's a wolf in sheep's clothing," Pickell said of McQuade. McQuade is held on $20,000 bond for each count. The charges carry a mandatory 15-year minimum prison sentence if convicted. Pickell said roughly half of McQuade's patients were court-referred.

[...]

The rest of the article was an attempt at damage control regarding court appointed psychotherapists.

Windsor psychiatrist Dr. Ravi Shenava charged with sexual assault

from the the Windsor Star

Dr. Ravi Shenava, 64, attended police headquarters March 9 and was arrested and subsequently charged. Police launched an investigation after a 28-year-old woman came forward Jan. 30, alleging a sexual assault had occurred at her psychiatrist’s office that day.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor police at 519-255-6700, ext. 4830, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477, online at www.catchcrooks.com or at Submit a Tip on Facebook.

Bronx Child Psychologist Justin Miller Accused of Trying to Meet 14-Year-Old Girl for Sex

A report from NBC TV New York

A 34-year-old child psychologist at the Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx has been arrested for allegedly engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover detective he thought was a 14-year-old girl, authorities said Wednesday.

The psychologist, Justin Miller, was arrested Tuesday in the Bronx as a result of the three-month investigation. An online profile says he has eight years of experience.

Since January, authorities allege Miller engaged in the explicit sexual conversations with the undercover detective and at what point said he wanted to meet the 14-year-old girl he thought he was chatting with for sex. Police say he admitted to engaging in the sex chats with someone he believed to be a teenager.

Miller was charged with disseminating indecent material to a minor and acting in a manner injurious to a child younger than 17, which is a felony.

An email request to Miller seeking comment bounced back, and information on an attorney for him wasn't immediately available.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine referred questions about the case to police. Miller was not listed on the college's website Wednesday.

Of course, sometimes psychologists get in on the action normally reserved for shrinks

Utah Child Psychiatrist David Wilson Now Faces Criminal Charges Related to Child Pornography. Has Lost Job, License Revoked

From the Standard Examiner

David Ford Wilson, 43, is charged with 15 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He entered not guilty pleas to the charges on July 16, 2014.

At a Hearing today, Judge Scott Hadley scheduled a hearing for oral arguments on May 8.

Wilson was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, with assistance from the FBI in 2013, officials had said.

In late March of 2013, Intermountain Healthcare’s information system security department found that Wilson’s computer was being accessed to download and view child pornography. He was immediately terminated and the incident was reported to police.

Detectives served a search warrant for Wilson’s hard drive and after a forensic analysis, which can take a lengthy amount of time, he was arrested on Sept. 6, 2013.

Wilson was an osteopathic physician as well as an child psychiatrist for Weber County. The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing revoked his license to practice medicine and prescribe drugs. A panel of three doctors reviewed the case and made an emergency motion to suspend Wilson. McKay-Dee Hospital also released a statement in 2013 that said there is no evidence that any of Wilson’s patients were at risk.

Jerusalem psychiatrist arrested for sexually assaulting and molesting patients for five years

As Reported in the Israeli site MyNet. (English text via Google Translate)

Neve Yaakov presented himself as a psychotherapist being anxious couples, a patient suspected of having committed indecent acts and other women. During interrogation he claimed that he did things without any sexual connotation

Haredi attending a patient suspected of defilement and indecent assault in patients more. The suspect, a resident of Neve Yaakov 44, was arrested this week by the Jerusalem Central Unit for suspected molesting his patients and even slept with one of them. According to the allegations, he hired an ultra-Orthodox organization treatment rooms located in Givat Shaul and there probably carried out his scheme.

The affair began a few weeks ago, then Jerusalem Central Unit received a complaint of ultra-Orthodox woman who claims that within the last treatment with the suspect is committed indecent acts. Among other things, she told the woman that he would sit her on it and pat it under your clothes. Immediately after receiving the complaint, the police began investigation. The researchers, led by Chief of youth exposure, Superintendent Golan Meiri, came another woman who claimed that he touched her vagina.

The suspect claimed during questioning that is anxious couples psychotherapist parity problems but deals mainly with individual women. He rented a room in the structure of the ultra-Orthodox Associations Givat Shaul where he received the women. It is suspected that he had treated this way Orthodox women for five years. Police point out that he used to sexually exploit the Mtoflotio significant number of cases.

Even before his arrest, trial proceedings against him took place in the Haredi community in so-called ‘Forum Regulation. Apparently the procedure did not produce fruit, and that’s what made the first complainant to contact the police. Near the police made the arrest raid on where the organization operates, and from there were taken additional evidence supporting the allegations. However, police point out that the organization itself has no connection to the event and there is no suspicion of its abnormal behavior.

In his interrogation, the suspect claimed that everything was carried out as part of treatment and without any sexual connotation. Police continue to investigate, among other things, trying to get other complainants and check the credentials required to perform treatments such as those committed by the suspect.

Five arrested in East Cove Psychiatric Services investigation

As seen here

Agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation executed search warrants Tuesday morning at a Kinston psychiatric facility. That afternoon, authorities arrested East Cove Psychiatric Services’ owners and operators Joanna Wolicki-Shannon and Walter Shannon. Shannon, 64, faces 12 felony counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery and received a $180,000 bond. Wolicki-Shannon, 50, received charges of six felony counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery and took a $90,000 bond. According to the SBI, “The doctors wrote bogus prescriptions for phentermine, hydrocodone, Percocet, Adderall, vyvanse and Ritalin using their psychiatric practice employees and members of the office staff’s families to submit them to pharmacies to be filled. The employees picked up the prescribed drugs and delivered them to the doctors.” Agents arrested three others in connection to the case. Lisa Renay Lankford, 53, faces 18 felony counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery and received a $279,000 bond. Candice Raegan Hill, 35, and James Howington, 31, were charged with 10 felony counts each of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery along with 10 felony counts of trafficking opium. Hill received a $650,000 bond, while Howington received a $659,000 bond. Hill and Lankford are both former office managers at East Cove, and Howington is Hill's boyfriend. East Cove’s main office is located in the 1300 block of North Queen Street, while an additional facility is open Thursdays on Limehouse Road in Kenansville. East Cove serves Eastpointe region clients who require mental health, developmental disability and/or substance abuse services. State agents are being assisted by the FBI in the case. Throughout the day Tuesday the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office also lent assistance at the scene. The suspects should make their first appearance in Lenoir County District Court on Wednesday.

Doylestown Psychiatrist Basem Shlewiet Sentenced to Prison for Fondling Patients

As seen in the Doylestown-Buckingham-New Britain Patch

A Doylestown psychiatrist convicted of fondling seven female patients during treatment will serve seven to 17 years in state prison.

Basem Shlewiet, 43, a Buckingham resident, was sentenced Monday by Judge Wallace H. Bateman,

In October, a jury found Shlewiet guilty of 16 of 18 criminal counts, including indecent assault and unlawful conduct with a minor.

Shlewiet was arrested in late 2014 after a nine-month investigation that began when Doylestown Borough Police received reports from women who said they had been touched in a sexual way during treatment at Shlewiet’s North Franklin Street office.

Initially, two of the victims told authorities that Shlewiet touched their breasts and another victim, who was 17 at the time, told authorities he touched her vaginal area. After his arrest, five more victims came forward saying Shlewiet had also inappropriately touched them.

The week-long trial included testimony from former patients, coworkers and character witnesses.

Shlewiet was represented by defense attorney Louis Busico.

A Plattsburgh psychiatrist has been arrested on a Clinton County Court bench warrant for failing to appear for a recent hearing on prescription forgery charges

As seen in the Press republican

A Plattsburgh psychiatrist was arrested on a Clinton County Court bench warrant for failing to appear for a recent hearing on prescription forgery charges dating back to 2013, police said.

Dr. Anthony Kim, 55, was arrested on Tuesday at his Seth Square apartment on Route 9 in Plattsburgh, according to Plattsburgh City Police Lt. Scott Beebie. His outstanding charges are second-degree forgery of a prescription and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, both felonies.

The investigation began July 18, 2013, when a pharmacy in the City of Plattsburgh reported uncertainty to police about the authenticity of prescriptions Kim had submitted.

In interviews with officers, the psychiatrist admitted he stole the prescription slips and forged another doctor’s signature on them, City Police said soon after his arrest. The prescriptions were for controlled substances and intended for Kim’s personal use, police said.

He was arraigned in Plattsburgh City Court and taken to Clinton County Jail.

He posted $25,000 cash bail the day of his arrest and was released, according to the Clinton County Sheriff's Department.

Kim had been employed at Behavioral Health Services North in Plattsburgh but was fired around the time of his initial arrest in 2013.

His hearing is rescheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, in Clinton County Court, according to the Clinton County Court Clerk's Office.

Psychiatric Hospital Employee Accused Of Having Sexual Contact With 15-Year-Old Patient

As reported by WCHS TV channel 8

West Virginia State Police said an employee of a psychiatric hospital in Morgantown is accused of having sexual contact with a 15-year-old male patient.

Katie Miller, 22, of Smithfield, Pa., was arrested Friday on two counts of sexual abuse of a child by a person of trust, according to a news release from the State Police.

The arrest stems from an investigation that began in late December 2014. The alleged abuse was reported by hospital officials.

During the course of the investigation, Sgt. A.W. Scott of the Crimes Against Children developed probable cause to arrest Miller. She was arraigned in Monongalia County Magistrate Court and released on a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

New details in the case of Rochester psychiatrist accused of hiding body in backyard

As Reported by WHEC TV

We've learned new details about the discovery of a missing man's body in the backyard of a Rochester psychiatrist's home.

The body of Matthew Straton was discovered on Rowley Street last January.

Police say Doctor William Lewek, who lives at the home, admitted to moving Straton's body and partially burying it. He's charged with tampering with evidence and faces drug charges.

He is not charged in Straton's death. The Monroe County District Attorney's Office says they know the cause of death for Straton, but for privacy reasons they won't reveal it. Prosecutors say it's not going to result in any new charges against Lewek.

We also learned Wednesday that police came to Lewek's house three times looking for Matthew Straton before Lewek admitted that Straton's body was buried in his backyard.

At that time, police had phone records that showed Lewek and Straton talked on the phone before he disappeared. When they showed up at his house last January 15 with a search warrant, Investigator Nicolas Mazzola testified that Lewek told him Straton died from a drug overdose and he buried his body in his backyard.

We asked Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford why she thought Lewek waited to reveal the body. She says, "Well it tells me that he didn't want police to know until he had no choice."

Matthew's mother Kym Straton says, "I think the third time he had to admit to it because someone turned him in. He had to admit to it, he was there."

At the hearing on Wednesday, things got a little testy. We overheard Judge Christopher Ciaccio threaten to send Defense Attorney Matt Parrinello to jail if he repeated a question one more time. Parrinello's next question was different. The lawyers are back to argue whether Lewek's statements can be used at trial on January 28.

You may also remember Lewek was arrested in Irondequoit last month for driving while ability impaired by drugs. At the hearing, the judge warned him that if he's caught again using illegal drugs or driving under the influence, the judge will revoke his bail and send him to jail.

Police seek assault charges against 16 Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital employees

A Reported on the Michigan Live website (much more at this link)

Related information here

Assault and battery charges are being sought against 16 employees of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital accused of abusing patients, according to Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley.

Hadley said the police have turned the case over the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office last week.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Carrie Klein said her office now needs to do its own investigation, which won't be completed until after the holidays.

"We have a tremendous amount of material to review," she said. "There's a tremendous amount of video."

She said it's unclear whether the employees could face misdemeanor or felony charges.

"It depends on what we find," she said.

Psychiatrists to go on strike; Police suspect big drug racket and massive illegal operations

Fron the Times of India

After procuring huge amounts of psychotropic pills from Dr Sudha Vasudev's private clinic at Mullanpur Dhaka and her residence at Rishi Nagar in Ludhiana on Saturday, the Jagraon police have said there is a big racket, and there could be other arrests soon.

Meanwhile, functioning of psychiatry OPDs in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes in Punjab and Chandigarh would be hit on Monday as psychiatrists under Indian Psychiatry Society and Indian Association of Private Psychiatry, Punjab and Chandigarh, have come out in the support of two doctors, arrested by Jagraon police for the illegal sale of psychotropic drugs at their private clinics in Mullanpur Dhaka and Khanna, and have decided to go on a strike on Monday.

"There are not just two doctors. We are getting many other links and it is too complicated. For the time being, we can say that there is a big racket involved, and we are trying to unearth some other important facts. We will disclose it at the right time," said SSP Jagraon, Ravcharan Singh Brar, who raided and arrested Dr Sudha Vasudev, in-charge of a drug de-addiction centre at Mullanpur Dhaka, from a hospital that did not have a licence to run the psychiatry clinic.

It is to be noted that on Saturday, police investigated the residence of Dr Sudha, from where they procured 18,000 more pills and another cache schedule H drugs. "The huge amount of psychotropic drugs and bills show that the company and the doctor had pacts and were doing it for a long time," he added.

According to rules, such drugs are not allowed at the residence of doctors and in private clinics. This is completely illegal, and the search is still on. According to sources, the medicine was Beuprinorphine, which has strong elements to wean addicts from drugs like heroin and smack, but at the same time, it also creates an alternate addiction. Some psychiatrists are still using it. Police said they have also recovered the receipt of Rs70,000 for buying the same drugs from a pharma company in bulk. Previously, on Friday, 3,600 pills were collected from her private clinic.

Presently, Dr Sudha is on two days remand by the orders of the local court, and this may increase as the investigation continues, and layers keep unfolding. She had be charged under three acts - Drugs and Cosmetics Act, NDPS Act for selling illegal psychotropic drugs at a private clinic, and Prevention of Corruption Act for trying to bribe the police to hush up the matter on the spot.

Rochester man charged with criminally negligent homicide in Psych Center assault death

As reoirted in the Watertown Daily News

Many more details at the link

A Rochester man has been charged with criminally negligent homicide after being accused of assaulting a fellow St. Lawrence County Psychiatric Center patient who later died as a result of his injuries.

Jose D. Miranda, 64, a patient of the Rochester Psychiatric Center, 1111 Elmwood Ave, was arrested Tuesday by detectives on a sealed St. Lawrence County Court indictment, according to a news release from Ogdensburg police.

Miranda was then transported to St. Lawrence County Court, Canton, and arraigned before Judge Jerome J. Richards on one count of criminally negligent homicide, a felony.

At arraignment, he was ordered held without bail and sent to the St. Lawrence County jail, Canton.

Officers of the Ogdensburg Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit allege the victim, Robert D. Harrienger II, 58, a native of Adams, was assaulted by Mr. Miranda about 6 p.m. May 12 at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center’s Trinity Building.

Mr. Harrienger was transported by the Ogdensburg Rescue Squad to the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center to be treated for head injuries. Due to the extent of his injuries and his condition, Mr. Harrienger later was transferred to Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, where he died several hours later.

An autopsy performed by the Onondaga County medical examiner’s office ruled the cause of death to be homicide.

Mr. Harrienger’s obituary said he was a general laborer in the garage of the psychiatric center for 20 years until retiring because of disability.

Miranda was a patient at the center. After the assault, he was transferred to a state psychiatric center in Marcy.

His arrest was a result of a lengthy investigation. During the investigation, he remained in state custody under psychiatric care.

Miranda, originally of the Bronx, has a long history of violent crimes, including a manslaughter conviction in 1972

You would expect that hospitals would be safe places for people, not a place where you take your life in your hands.

Las Cruces psychiatrist abused former patient, police say

As Reported in the Las Cruces Sun Times

A Las Cruces psychiatrist has been arrested after police say he abused a former patient.

Daniel J. Brandt, 54, was charged with one count of abuse of a resident, a fourth-degree felony, according to a Las Cruces Police Department news release.

Police allege Brandt grabbed the hoodie of a 28-year-old former patient, twisted it in his hand and escorted the intellectually disabled inside Campo Behavioral Health Services on Tuesday. Brand's hold was tight enough, according to police, that the man choked and passed out for a brief time.

Brandt had worked with the man for 13 years, till July when the man's court-appointed guardian requested a change in psychiatrists, the news release states.

The man and caretaker had gone to Campo Behavioral Health Services on Tuesday to reconcile records. That's when Brandt allegedly approached them in the parking lot, suggesting the man see a new therapist at the facility. When the man refused, Brandt allegedly grabbed him.

Reached on Thursday afternoon, Brandt declined to comment on the incident.

He was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on Wednesday on a $10,000 bond. Brand, who has no criminal record according to online New Mexico court records, has since posted bail.