Lynchburg, VIRGINIA – A Staunton physician practicing in Lexington at Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital Emergency Department was sentenced today on a federal drug distribution charge, Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle announced.
Stanley Elmer Heatwole, 73, of Staunton, Virginia, previously waived his right to be indicted and pled guilty to an Information charging him with one count of distribution of controlled substances. Today in District Court, Heatwole was sentenced to three years of probation, six months of which must be spent on home confinement. In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and a special assessment of $100.
According to evidence presented at previous hearings by Assistant United States Attorney Jennie L. M. Waering, from 2009 to 2014, Stanley Elmer Heatwole wrote controlled substance prescriptions, specifically hydrocodone, to a female patient with whom he had an intimate relationship. These prescriptions were not for a legitimate medical purpose and were outside the usual course of professional practice. In 2014, his license to practice medicine was suspended.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Tactical Diversion Squad of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jennie L. M. Waering is prosecuting the case for the United States.