Doctor is indicted after prescription drug find

ST. MARYS, Ga. - A south Georgia physician has been arrested on two murder charges and 17 counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act.

Prosecutors said the charges filed against Noel Chua, an internal medicine specialist, are the culmination of an investigation that began Dec. 15, after authorities responded to a call that someone had died in the doctor's St. Marys home.

When police arrived, they found the body of James B. Carter III slumped in front of a bathroom sink, according to an incident report filed by investigators.

Dr. Chua told police that Mr. Carter, 18, was a former patient who was working for him. He also told police that Mr. Carter was living with him while attending classes at Coastal Georgia Community College.

Investigation reports said police found "numerous medications" while searching the home, including a hypodermic syringe that contained an unknown clear liquid on Mr. Carter's bed and an unknown white powdery substance in a clear plastic bag.

Investigators said Dr. Chua was arrested at his office in St. Marys on Wednesday and taken to the Glynn County Jail, where he is being held while awaiting a bond hearing.

He was indicted on the charges Wednesday by a Camden County grand jury.

Dr. Chua's assets have been seized under a court order on suspicion that he violated the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act because of accusations he used his medical practice to write prescriptions for controlled drugs and allowed people to use controlled substances and dangerous drugs in his home, according to documents filed with court officials after his arrest.

A trustee has been appointed to manage Dr. Chua's assets, said Jackie Johnson, an assistant district attorney for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit.

All of Dr. Chua's patient records were seized and will be reviewed by federal drug agents, she said. And his passport has been revoked, said Lt. Frank Thornal, a spokesman with the St. Marys Police Department, which is leading the investigation.

Ms. Johnson said it took so long to file charges in the case because there was so much forensic evidence to review.

"We wanted to consult some experts," Ms. Johnson said.

In the indictment, Dr. Chua is accused of prescribing controlled substances that led to Mr. Carter's death. Some of the drugs he is accused of prescribing to Mr. Carter include oxycodone, methadone, hydrocodone, butorphanol, morphine, demerol and percocet, according to the indictment.

The indictment alleges none of the drugs prescribed to Mr. Carter was for a legitimate medical purpose.