CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Kanawha Valley medical doctor allegedly caused the deaths of two patients by selling them drugs outside the bounds of his medical practice and then allegedly tried to conceal the money he received for his illegal drug business.
A 15-count federal indictment against Dr. Muhammed Samer Nasher-Alneam was announced Friday by U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart.
The indictment alleges that from July 2013 through February 2015 Nasher was selling the pain killing drugs hydrocodone, oxycodone and methadone from his “Neurology & Pain Center” that he initially operated in South Charleston and then in Charleston.
It’s alleged that on Sept. 9. 2014 Nasher distributed an amount of oxycodone for non-legitimate medical purposes to a person identified in the indictment as S.S. who later died. On Feb. 24, 2015 Nasher allegedly prescribed oxycodone and oxymorphone to a patient who didn’t need it and patient A.J. died.
According to the indictment, Nasher tried to hide his drug business by transferring approximately $290,000 to a financial institution in Instanbul, Turkey. The indictment lists four transfers.
“This United States Attorney plans to hold accountable medical providers that chose greed over patient care,” Stuart said in a news release. “Due to the funding provided because of the incredible commitment of this administration and Attorney General Sessions, we are aggressively going after doctors, pharmacies and other medical providers that contribute to the opiate epidemic purely for money. No medical provider should prey on individuals suffering from drug addiction for reasons rooted in personal greed. Far too many West Virginians lose their lives every year to opioid overdoses. The resources of the OFADU will make a big difference in our state and enable us to reverse the trend of overdose deaths. Drug dealers with a medical degree are still drug dealers.”
Nasher’s attorney, Mike Hissam, said they will fight the charges.
“Although we certainly understand that the United States Attorney is eager to lay blame for the opioid crisis, Dr. Nasher maintained a state-approved clinic to help West Virginians who were suffering with real pain. He looks forward to clearing his name in court,” Hissam said.
Agents with the FBI and DEA along with Charleston police raided Nasher’s Charleston office in February.