Mansfield doctor indicted for allegedly writing fraudulent prescriptions for Oxycontin, Oxycodone

MANSFIELD, Ohio - Dr. David Walter Massie was arrested Monday after being indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Oxycontin and/or Oxycodone.

The 59-year-old medical doctor will be arraigned July 6.

Massie is accused of writing fraudulent prescriptions to patients for the painkillers. Patients then filled and illegally distributed the drugs back to Massie for his own personal use, distribution and to sell on the street, according to the indictment.

"Prescription drug abuse has wreaked havoc on Ohio and is a major challenge for law enforcement," said Steven Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohioin a news release. "To have a doctor involved in a drug conspiracy such as this is profoundly troubling. We will continue to work with our partners in the law enforcement, regulatory and medical fields to help solve this problem."

Much of the alleged conduct took place from 2005-2007, but includes transactions in May 2012. The indictment said Massie sold each Oxycontin and Oxycodone pill for $1 per milligram and obtained more than 4,000 pills through the conspiracy.

In some cases, Massie asked patients to provide their insurance information to cover the cost of the prescriptions, the paperwork stated. In other cases, Massie is accused of giving patients cash to pay for the pills or allowing patients to keep some of the controlled substance for themselves.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Dirksen following an investigation by the METRICH Enforcement Unit of the Richland County Sheriff's Office and FBI (Mansfield resident office).