Claremore doctor faces charges in hydrocodone conspiracy case

TULSA — A Claremore doctor was indicted this month in a hydrocodone drug distribution conspiracy in which authorities allege he prescribed narcotics to patients who would then give him some of the drugs.

Jeremy David Thomas is named in five 12-count federal indictments involving drug conspiracy and distribution of hydrocodone. Five of Thomas’ former patients — Chad Lee Choat, Toni Dawn Martin, Shawn Del Martin, Joseph Marcus Jones and Jeffrey Lee Koger — also are listed as defendants in the indictments, which were filed June 4 and unsealed Tuesday.

The indictments accuse Thomas of prescribing hydrocodone to the patients, who would have the prescriptions filled and then deliver a predetermined number of tablets back to the doctor.

The conspiracy allegedly began around October 2015 or earlier and continued until October 2017, when authorities obtained a search warrant for Thomas’ medical records while investigating the case.

Thomas, who received his Oklahoma license to practice osteopathy in 2005, was employed by the Premier Bone and Joint Specialists in Claremore at the time of the allegations, according to the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners. He is no longer affiliated with the medical office, which is part of Utica Park Clinic.

The osteopathic examiners board suspended Thomas’ medical license in December pending a hearing, which must be scheduled within 30 days of the board receiving a written request from Thomas. A request had not been received as of Wednesday, Executive Director Deborah Bruce said.

“Said suspension shall continue until such time as the Board determines that Dr. Thomas’ practice of osteopathic medicine does not threaten the public health, safety and welfare,” according to an emergency order detailing the suspension.

The emergency order describes an interview with board investigators, DEA agents and Thomas that occurred Oct. 17 last year.

During that meeting, Thomas allegedly said he developed depression after undergoing a hernia operation and used eight to 10 hydrocodone tablets per day. He also admitted to splitting prescriptions, mainly hydrocodone, with at least four patients, according to the order.

Further, the order alleges Thomas “manipulated” the patients to obtain the drugs and made them pay for the prescriptions. Many of the prescriptions reportedly were not charted in his medical records.

“Dr. Thomas would write the prescriptions, the patient would fill the prescription and the pills would then be split,” the emergency order states. “In one text Dr. Thomas directed the patient to meet him in the hospital parking lot because Dr. Thomas would be in between surgeries.”

According to the affidavit, Thomas performed surgical procedures twice a week and up to six procedures in a day.

Thomas is free on an unsecured $25,000 bond.