Former Ravalli County Doctor Arrested on 400 Felony Crimes
Ravalli County Attorney Bill Fulbright announced that in coordination with Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, former Dr. Chris Christensen was charged with 400 felony crimes and was arrested in his home this morning.
"These 400 felony charges relate to just 11 representative patients out of more than 4,700 medical files seized from his office," Fulbright said. Dr. Christensen is accused of the following:
- two counts of negligent homicide;
- nine counts of criminal endangerment;
- 306 counts of illegally distributing opiate-based drugs
- 82 counts of illegally distributing non-opiate-based drugs
- one count of criminal possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance
Back in April 2014, Christensen was cited in the death of two patients from drug overdoses by the Montana Board of Medical Examiners. This resulted in the indefinite suspension of Dr. Christensen’s medical license.
Fulbright gave a huge amount of credit and thanks to physicians, pharmacists, valley citizens and the U.S. DEA.
"This has been a long process," Fulbright said. "More than a year of investigation work was completed before search warrants were issued for Dr. Christensen's office and home. Those searches, on April 1, 2014, resulted in the task force seizing 4,718 medical patient files, and 1,500 additional files for medical marijuana patients."
As of this afternoon, Christensen had not posted bail, which was set for $200,000. The arraignment on these charges is scheduled for this afternoon at 1:30.