Celina Physician Arrested On Federal Drug Distribution Charges

Federal agents charged a Livingston man Friday morning for violating the Controlled Substances Act.

Authorities arrested 65-year-old Gilbert Ross Ghearing at his Celina-based medical practice.

According to a criminal complaint, Ghearing repeatedly violated the Controlled Substances Act between August 2016 and February 2019. The complaint alleges that Ghearing prescribed Schedule II and Schedule IV drugs outside the usual course of practice and not for legitimate purposes.

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 Gearing, while under investigation for federal offenses, booked a flight earlier this week to depart on Sunday, with a final destination to the Marshall Islands.

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

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