Local doctor charged in 3-year drug case

A local doctor was arrested Wednesday night after a lengthy drug investigation led to a 30-count indictment against him.

Samuel J. Christian, 55, was arrested and taken to the Seneca County Jail after he was served the Seneca County indictment, which includes 24 counts of  aggravated trafficking in drugs, five counts of trafficking in drugs and one count of methadone treatment license violation, according to a release from the Seneca County Drug Task Force METRICH Enforcement Unit.

METRICH Unit Coordinator Charles Boyer said Christian allegedly had been prescribing methadone and other drugs to patients for addiction purposes without a proper license. He said all of the felony charges are related to the dispensing of that medication. METRICH, along with the State Board of Pharmacy and the State Medical Board led the investigation, which lasted about three years, Boyer said.

A search warrant was executed at Christian's office, Christian Clinic, located at 478 W. Market St., in June 2011.

"These combined efforts were just a small example of our accomplishments of working together with all the local and state law enforcement agencies to combat against our rising prescription drug abuse epidemic that we are presently battling in our communities," Boyer said in the release.

Christian remains in the Seneca County jail awaiting a court appearance.

Originally published in the Tiffin Advertiser Tribune on July 12, 2012.