Police raid pain doctor's offices following dangerous practice allegations

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Law enforcement agencies raided four locations in connection to an investigation into Dr. William Hedrick and the Centers for Pain Relief, according to the Allen County Prosecutor's Office.

The Indiana Attorney General-Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Allen County Prosecutors were involved in the execution of the search warrants on Wednesday and in the ongoing investigation.

Hedrick's attorney, Stacy Cook provided a brief statement regarding activity in Fort Wayne on Wednesday.

"We are providing total cooperation to the investigating parties," Cook said.

Agents were on the scene of the Health Now Urgent Care facility located at 6819 Lima Rd. The office is linked to Centers for Pain Relief on its website listing of locations.

The Health Now office was closed for the day Wednesday.  A sign turned patients away with notice that the office closed for "unforeseen reasons."

Authorities referred questions regarding the searches to the Allen County Prosecutor's Office which could not confirm nor deny details about Wednesday's investigations.  Information about materials confiscated was not immediately available.

Dr. Hedrick has been accused of dangerous pain therapies and drug mixing practicing. A complaint filed by the state in December 2012 claims numerous patients under the care of Dr. Hedrick and the Centers for Pain Relief  "have died from multiple drug toxicity."

Dr. Hedrick has also been accused of engaging in procedures that are "inconsistent with patient benefit, but consistent with financial gain for [Dr. Hedrick]."

In a hearing before the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana on January 24, Dr. Hedrick offered to give up his license to practice medicine for two years and voluntarily be on probation for four subsequent years.

Hedrick's medical license has been suspended since Dec. 6 pending the decision of the board in February.

The board rejected the proposal. Hedrick is scheduled to appear before the board again in February.