Savannah psychiatrist Dr. William Ellien was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Savannah on felony drug charges involving unlawful distribution of prescription drugs, including percocet and hydrocodone.
According to the indictment and an earlier criminal complaint, Ellien, 57, exchanged prescriptions for very addictive prescription drugs for sex acts with various women from 2009 through 2012.
United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic in Georgia and across our nation. The indictment and other court documents in this case allege that this doctor violated his oath to‘do no harm,’ by trading prescriptions for highly addictive medications for sex. Swift justice can be the only response to this grave violation of the trust and responsibility bestowed upon the Defendant by the people of Georgia.”
Ellien, who remains in federal custody, is facing up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.