Three Arrested in Pain Clinic Investigation

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office vice and narcotics detectives conducted a search of the premises at Harbour Medical Clinic, 1930 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., this morning, which resulted in three arrests.

An investigation of the clinic began more than a year ago, Sgt. Bill Davis said at a press conference.

About 15 deputies searched the clinic Tuesday, Dec. 13, seizing records and other evidence, Davis said.

Eighty to 90 percent of the prescriptions written at the clinic were for pain management medications, though the facility was not licensed as a pain management clinic, Davis said.

There is no difference between what these doctors were doing here and a drug dealer on the street, Davis said.

According to Davis, people were coming from all over the state to the clinic, which is one of the red flags that something not right is going on.

Another red flag: A sign that reads "Cash only." An appointment at the clinic cost $300, Davis said.

Another sign taken from the clinic advises patients not to use specific pharmacies because they utilize a drug-trafficking database, Davis said.

The investigation included undercover operations, but Davis could not elaborate because the investigation is still ongoing.

Arrested were Renaldo York, Dr. William Crumbley and Dr. William McIntire.

York is expected to be charged with operating a pain management clinic without a license, a third-degree felony.

Crumbley is expected to be charged with practicing medicine with a suspending license. Crumbley's license was suspended by state health officials in October, based on accusations that he wrote excessive prescriptions for powerful painkillers that may have contributed to a patient's death, according to a St. Petersburg Times story.

"The deaprtment of health hs sanctioned him administratively, we're going after him criminally," Lt. Chuck Balderstone said.

Charges against McIntire are expected to include possession of morphine.

The majority of the prescriptions written at the clinic were for oxycodone,  Balderstone said.

Davis said it is thanks to the citizens of Pasco County who alerted the sheriff's office to the suspicious operations that the investigation was successful.

The sheriff's office asks that citizens report any suspicious clinic, so that it can continue to crack down on such operations.

"We're going to go after them with every resource we can," Balderstone said.