Monongalia County surgeon facing drug charge

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Dr. Chad Poage, of Morgantown, West Virginia, is facing a drug charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Poage, age 35, is charged in a one-count information with “Obtaining Controlled Substances by Fraud.” Poage is accused of writing prescriptions using other physicians’ DEA registration numbers and initials without authorization, and filling those prescriptions at Morgantown area pharmacies. It is alleged that Poage was filling the prescriptions of acetaminophen-codeine for his own personal use.

Poage faces up to four years’ incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000.00. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Patrick Mott are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the West Virginia State Police investigated. 

An information is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.