Dr. Eric Christian Jones
State seeks nursing license suspension of doctor’s wife
Medical Board Record—010470198A
Disciplinary Actions—Emergency Suspension
Pendleton doctor arrested after DEA raid in prescription drug case
INDIANA—Agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), detectives from the Madison County Drug Task Force, Indiana State Police and Pendleton Police carried out a raid that led to the arrest of a Madison County physician on multiple drug charges.
Dr. Eric Jones is accused of dispensing controlled substances without prescriptions or medical examination from an office in downtown Pendleton. Investigators claim Jones operated a cash business, providing prescriptions to non-patients and attended Botox parties in Indianapolis where he participants would receive medication with virtually no medical oversight.
“The investigation was begun in January of this year concerning some complaints that had come in,” said Deputy Prosecutor Steve Koester who indicated investigators were looking for, “documentary evidence through inspect of drugs coming in, drugs going out of that office or being prescribed by that doctor would be one way that we could check on these types of things. Sometimes we can use undercover or informants in these type of activities to see what type of information we can glean.”
The Affidavit for the Search Warrant at Jones’ West Main Street office, his home and two automobiles lists the doctor’s attendance at Botox parties in Indianapolis as recently as last week and redacts the names of dozens of non-patients who received various medications.
“What would send up red flags for a weight loss clinic is prescribing Adderall or amphetamines or there’s a lot of controlled substances by statute there has to be a certain method that a doctor has to go through, certain activities he has to go through before he can prescribe a controlled substance for weight loss,” said Koester. “In my experience if a doctor’s office is running a cash only that would certainly send up a red flag.”
A patient told FOX59 News that she was stunned by the allegations.
“Dr. Jones has been nothing but fabulous to all the people in Pendleton,” said Rhonda Pitman. “I just started going to him in August and he’s just been nothing but very professional, very nice, you just couldn’t ask for a more wonderful doctor.”
Jones’ staff told FOX59 News he would not be available for comment regarding the investigation.
Investigators seized records and computers from the practice.
In spite of the arrest, the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency would be responsible for revoking Jones’ medical license pending the investigation. (LINK) — 10/28/14
Prosecutor: Doctor traded drugs for sex
Indiana—An Indiana physician has been charged with trading drugs for sex with several patients, according to court records filed Thursday that included 21 criminal counts in addition to 10 other counts earned late last year.
The Madison County Prosecutor’s office filed the additional charges after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency completed an investigation that included the examination of computers seized from the office and home of Dr. Eric C. Jones.
Jones, 45, of Pendleton, Indiana, is now facing 31 felony counts for incidents that took place from 2011 to 2014 and include voyeurism, perjury, unlawful dispensation of a controlled substance and corrupt business influence.
The affidavits include allegations that Jones conducted “Botox” parties arranged through Calendar Girl Castings of Carmel, an area casting agency.
Deputy Prosecutor Jeff Lockwood said the DEA wanted the initial 10 charges filed last October while the investigation was continuing.
“At the time the investigation was ongoing,” he said, “they had not gone through the computers.”
Lockwood said Jones will be allowed to turn himself in to authorities. He is currently free on a $20,000 bond.
“We’re going to ask the court to either increase the bond or restrain him from practicing medicine of any kind,” Lockwood said.
Lockwood said a scheduled June 16 trial will probably be continued as a result of the additional charges. (LINK) — 5/21/15
State seeks nursing license suspension of doctor’s wife
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Attorney General’s Office is asking the state to suspend the nursing license of the wife of Dr. Eric Jones, a Pendleton doctor who is facing criminal charges of illegally dealing controlled substances.
The petition for a summary suspension against Heidi Ellen Jones has been filed by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office with the Indiana State Board of Nursing.
The state is claiming that evidence was seized in an Oct. 23, 2014, raid of Eric Jones’ downtown Pendleton office indicating Heidi Jones was addicted to controlled substances. The substances were being supplied by her husband, the state alleges.
Heidi Jones also changed patient charts and patient notes to cover up the actions of her husband, the state claims.
Jones has not been charged with any criminal offenses.
However, on May 27, Eric Jones entered into an agreement with the state medical licensing board to not practice until his criminal charges were resolved. His license was placed on “suspended” status.
The next day, he purchased via the Web the drug Nalbuphine, an injectable drug often used to relieve pain, which was delivered to his office on May 29, according to the complaint.
Eric Jones again purchased the drug on June 17 and July 6 and had it delivered to his home, the state claims.
The state is seeking a suspension of 90 days and a hearing before the nursing board.
Eric Jones is facing 32 counts, mostly involving illegal dealing in controlled substances, in Madison Circuit Court 3. He has a trial date set for Nov. 11.
His office was located at 138 W. Main St. in Pendleton. (LINK) — 08/26/2015
Pendleton doctor’s license suspended for 7 years
INDIANAPOLIS — The medical license of former Pendleton physician Eric C. Jones was suspended Thursday for at least seven years by the Indiana Medical Licensing Board.
In January, Jones, 46, pleaded guilty to seven criminal charges involving dealing in drugs, perjury and voyeurism. He was sentenced in Madison Circuit Court Division 3 to six years on probation.
At a December plea hearing Jones admitted to providing controlled substances to patients when not medically necessary and for failing to keep proper records.
Jones admitted to recording sexual activity with two patients without their consent or knowledge, which led to the conviction on the voyeurism charges.
Jones was initially charged with the criminal offenses in February 2015. Last May, Jones voluntarily agreed to have his medical license suspended pending results of the criminal trial.
Previous affidavits include allegations that Jones conducted “Botox” parties arranged through Calendar Girl Castings of Carmel, an area model agency.
The effective date of suspension was May 28, 2015.
In further investigating Jones, the Attorney General’s Office found that Jones’ wife, Heidi, had been addicted to or was abusing controlled substances given to her by her husband.
Heidi Jones worked as a nurse at the Pendleton office, 138 E. State St.
On May 28, 2015, Jones purchased online an injectable drug Nalbuphine, which was delivered to his office on May 29. On June 17, he purchased more Nalubphine that was delivered to the couple’s home. A third purchase was made July 6, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
The Thursday suspension was part of a settlement reached with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.
Jones must wait seven years to reapply for a license. At that point, the state could issue further restrictions or grant probationary status.
If he is successful, he can only practice in a facility with other doctors and he cannot treat female patients until OK’d by the state.
He also loses his federal license to prescribe controlled substances.
He was also fined $100 for each of the seven counts.
The penalties were called “quite significant” by Deputy Attorney General Jessica Krug.
Jones made no statement during the licensing board meeting in downtown Indianapolis. He answered questions from his attorney with “yes” responses.
Attorney Thomas Barlow, who represented Jones, told the board that his client had no income. Heidi Jones has also had her license suspended. (LINK) — 3/24/2015
Doctor serving probation arrested
Police: Eric Jones was driving drunk
ANDERSON — A former Pendleton physician serving six years on probation for dealing in drugs, perjury and voyeurism was arrested Monday in Hamilton County.
Eric Jones, 48, Pendleton, was arrested by Carmel police on misdemeanor charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, operating a vehicle with alcohol concentration equivalent of .15 blood alcohol content or more and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
The state limit for blood alcohol content is .08 percent.
Jones was sentenced to six years probation in 2016 through a plea agreement by Madison Circuit Court Division 3 Judge Thomas Newman Jr.
Jones pleaded guilty to felony charges of two counts of dealing in a controlled substance, one count each of unlawful dispensation of a controlled substance, perjury, and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. He also entered guilty pleas to two misdemeanor charges of voyeurism.
At the time of his sentencing the state dismissed 26 other charges.
Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rodney Cummings said it will be up to the Adult Probation Department to file a violation of his terms of probation with the court.
Normally the terms of probation includes refraining from the use of alcohol or drugs.
Jones’ attorney, Bryan Williams, said at the time of sentencing it was the appropriate outcome for the case.
“It’s not likely that Dr. Jones will find himself back involved with the legal system,” he said.
At the plea hearing Jones admitted to providing controlled substances to patients when not medically necessary and for failing to keep proper records.
Jones admitted to recording sexual activity with two patients without their consent or knowledge, which led to the conviction on the voyeurism charges.
Previous affidavits include allegations that Jones conducted Botox parties arranged through Calendar Girl Castings of Carmel, an area modeling agency.
According to a court affidavit, the DEA found a video on a computer dated June 25, 2014, in which Jones is having sex with a patient in his office.
According to the affidavit, in a February 2014 text message recorded from one of the doctor’s cellphones, the same patient asks to pick up a prescription for the drug Adderall at the Pendleton office.
“I think you owe me an office visit,” Jones reportedly wrote in a text. “I guess … but we better get naked soon. Your envelope is at the front desk.” (LINK)—2/21/2018