WILLIAM J. SCHEYER, M.D., 77, of Kirkland, Washington pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to one count of Prescription Fraud, a federal felony. According to the plea agreement, SCHEYER admits he obtained controlled substances such as Vicodin, Oxycodone and other prescription narcotics using the name of at least one University of Washington student athlete, a member of his support staff and others without their knowledge or consent. SCHEYER admits that, while serving as a volunteer doctor for the UW Women's Softball Team, he would hand out the narcotics to student athletes in unmarked brown paper envelopes with little or no dosage instructions and without having examined the students. SCHEYER further admits that he failed to keep any records on who received the medication, the quantities or specific types he distributed.

In pleading guilty to the charge SCHEYER agrees to accept a sentence between zero and six months of confinement, and agrees to surrender his license to practice medicine and his DEA registration number. The government has agreed to recommend a sentence of ninety days of home electronic monitoring and 500 hours of community service. SCHEYER and his attorneys will make their own sentencing recommendations to U.S. District Court Judge James L. Robart. SCHEYER has already surrendered his medical license following action by the Washington State Medical Quality Assurance Commission.

The case was investigated by the Washington State Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorneys Lisca Borichewski and Kelly Harris prosecuted the case.

For more information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington at (206)553-4110.

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