Alleged Dayton ‘pill mill’ doctor who had 7 patients die set for plea

A Dayton doctor federally indicted on 20 counts related to allegedly running a “pill mill” that saw seven patients die of painkiller drug overdoses is scheduled for a Tuesday change of plea. Dr. David Kirkwood’s attorney declined to comment, and a federal prosecutor didn’t return a message seeking comment.

Kirkwood and his wife, Beverly, were indicted in 2014 by a grand jury in Dayton’s U.S. District Court. Beverly Kirkwood is scheduled for a status conference after her husband’s change of plea.

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The Kirkwoods were indicted on numerous counts of conspiracy and distributing prescription pills and health care fraud after a 2012 raid of the Kirkwood Family Practice on Linden Avenue in Dayton.

According to the indictment, Kirkwood would charge $100 per office visit and “examine” 60 to 100 patients per day.

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In October 2012, federal and state agents served a search warrant at the 2838 Linden Ave. office run by Kirkwood and his wife, in what Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine then called a year-long investigation into a suspected “pill mill.” DEA agents were seen removing boxes of what appeared to be records.

The indictment states that the object of the conspiracy was “to make as much money as possible by distributing and dispensing controlled substances such as diazepam, carisoprodol, methadone, opana, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and alprazolam, to patients, other drug users, and conspirators.”

RELATED: Doctor, wife indicted for allegedly running ‘pill mill’

Kirkwood’s trial has been delayed several times and he had a new attorney appointed about 18 months ago.

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