Shreveport optometrist pleads guilty to illegally writing prescriptions

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Shreveport optometrist pleaded guilty Monday to writing prescriptions for non-patients and non-medical purposes.

Charles D. Shanks, 63, of Shreveport, entered a conditional guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby for one count of distributing or dispensing a controlled substance.  The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter. According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Shanks, a Shreveport optometrist, wrote dozens of prescriptions for codeine and hydrocodone in 2012 and 2013 from pharmacies and wholesale distributors that were for non-patients and not for valid medical purposes.

Shanks faces up to 10 years in prison, two years of supervised release and a $500,000 fine. A sentencing date of January 11, 2016 was set.

The DEA conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.