News

Investigators: Oklahoma physician dispensed `massive` prescriptions for dangerous drugs, caused nine deaths

James Draper

01/02/2014

Jan. 01--William Martin Valuck has ties to Kilgore dating back to at least 1991 -- he was arrested here Friday, facing nine counts of homicide and 43 counts of drug distribution in Oklahoma.

According to investigators, Valuck was "by far" the largest prescriber of controlled dangerous substances in Oklahoma in 2013.

Authorities contend the emergency medicine specialist's "massive" prescriptions of extremely addictive drugs through his cash- and creditonly practices in Oklahoma City caused nine deaths, including eight fatal overdoses and one fatal accident caused by a patient under the influence of drugs hours after visiting Valuck's office and filling one of his prescriptions.

Reportedly, after submitting an affidavit to surrender his license with the Oklahoma Board of Osteopathic Examiners Dec. 10, Valuck could not be located there two days later. As agents from the Drug Enforcement closed in, Kilgore police officers had Valuck's Kilgore residence -- often listed as a business address -- under surveillance in December, noting a U-Haul truck parked nearby.

Valuck was taken into custody by a joint task force of Tyler DEA agents and KPD officers shortly before 4 p.m. Friday. Initially incarcerated in the Rusk County Justice Center, the 71-year-old was extradited to Oklahoma Monday and booked into the Oklahoma County Jail. He's being held without bond on 52 separate counts, nine for first degree murder, the rest for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (CDC).

Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Agent T.N. Briscoe filed an affidavit for arrest warrant Dec. 26 in the Oklahoma County District Court and executed a search warrant at Valuck's clinic the same day.

"Our investigation has revealed that during a period of approximately one year, Dr. Valuck prescribed extremely large amounts of controlled substances including the most abused prescription drugs on the street, to numerous patients with very little medical examination or the establishment of a valid doctor-patient relationship," Briscoe reported. "An analysis of the Oklahoma Prescription Monitoring Program shows that Dr. Valuck is by far the largest prescriber of CDS in the state of Oklahoma from January 1, 2013 to the present. Specifically, as of December 16, 2013, Valuck was the leading prescriber of schedule III and IV CDS and ranked eighth overall for prescriptions for schedule II CDS."

Valuck peddled 12,000 more CDS prescriptions than the second-largest prescriber in Oklahoma, Briscoe added.

Executing the search warrant Thursday, investigators seized a litany of medical records, files and other materials stored at Advanced Care Clinic in Oklahoma City including 10 patient charts as well as blank and completed prescriptions for various individuals and a sticky note detailing prescriptions for Shawn Saatian, one of the fatal overdoses.

According to Briscoe's affidavit, Valuck prescribed 240 pills to Saatian on Aug. 7, 2013. The man died a day later from mixed drug toxicity (Oxycodone with Methamphetamine and Alprazolam), according to the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's report, listed as an accidental death.

Saatian reportedly "only had minor medical issues."

Five other patients, prescribed between 300 and 600 pills by Valuck, also died of overdoses within days of visiting the doctor.

According to the arrest warrant, Valuck surrendered his license to practice medicine

Dec. 13, just prior to a disciplinary review. Briscoe attempted to serve "an immediate suspension for imminent danger" the day before but could not locate him.

Valuck's entry at Better- Doctor.com says he is "an emergence medicine doctor who specializes in emergency medicine. Dr. Valuck is licensed to practice in North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Michigan, and Ohio. He practices emergency medicine in 2803 Chandler St., Kilgore."

According to Texas Medical Board records, Valuck was first issued a license here in June 1991; it was 'considered canceled' in May 2002. The most recent entry notes 'applied for relicensure' on Oct. 14, 2005. The current primary practice address was reported by Valuck as 2803 Chandler St.

The National Provider Identifier registry (as of Dec. 29, 2013) notes Valuck's unique NPI number -- 1477727725 -- was enumerated and last updated April 17, 2008, with the 2803 Chandler St. residence as his business mailing address. City of Kilgore records list the homeowner alternatively as Jenny Lynn Dreadin and Jenny Valuck.

At offices in Oklahoma -- including Vista Medical and Advanced Care Clinic -- Briscoe reported Valuck did not accept any forms of insurance: "...all office visits are paid in cash or credit card. Many of Dr. Valuck's patients have insurance, Medicare or Medicaid but continue to pay cash each month in order to keep receiving their CDS."

According to Briscoe, patient records and interviews indicate Valuck charged $250 for an initial patient visit, $120 for monthly subsequent visits and $160 for subsequent visits each month that included a urine analysis.

Physician's Assistant Michael Hume, under Valuck's supervision, had his license investigated and subsequently suspended "by emergency" in September 2013 for inappropriate prescribing, Briscoe noted.

"The emergency included several patient deaths," he reported, and Valuck told the investigators, "I'm aware of and approved every prescription issued by Hume."

Citing information provided by DEA Diversion Investigator Mary Surovec, Briscoe lists other red flags raised by Valuck's practice.

"Various area pharmacies in close proximity to Dr. Valuck's clinic have reportedly refused to fill CDS prescriptions issued by Valuck," he noted. "Area Walgreens have refused to fill any of Dr. Valyuck's prescriptions, using statements, 'Good faith determination that the prescriptions were issued for other than legitimate medical reasons.' Pharmacist Bill Winn at R-X Prescription Shop #1, also reported that he discourages Dr. Valuck's patients for fear of thefts and break-ins due to the type of (patients) coming from Advanced Care."

Based on the investigation -- including collaboration with DEA Diversion Investigator Mary Surovec, reviewing medical records and interviewing current and former patients, their family and friends -- Briscoe concluded in his affidavit Valuck lacked medical justification "for prescribing high quantities of extremely addictive controlled dangerous substances 'cocktail' which includes Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Soma, and Alprazolam..." and his actions "evince a depraved mind and a lack of regard for human life."

Citing the ongoing investigation, various authorities declined to comment further on Valuck's case Monday. None could confirm whether or not Valuck -- who previously served prison time for money laundering and other charges -- was actively working in Kilgore.