Dermatologist Turns in Patient To Get Lighter Sentence

Sentencing for a Mount Pleasant dermatologist who lives in and was found guilty of drug trafficking has been postponed after he became an informant and turned in one of his patients.

Dr. Steven Armus is still practicing at Great Lakes Dermatology, and his patient's attorney is accusing Armus of violating his "physician-patient relationship."

According to a story in the Journal Times:

"In a motion filed Tuesday in Racine County Circuit Court, defense lawyer Patrick Cafferty requested that a judge toss out state-level drug charges against a Racine businessman, John P. Chapman, 27, of the 4000 block of Olive Street.

The three felony drug charges should be dismissed, Cafferty wrote, because Chapman’s doctor — dermatologist Steven L. Armus — 'abused his physician-patient relationship with John Chapman to lure Chapman into introducing Armus to people who could supply Armus with cocaine.' In return, federal prosecutors agreed to recommend a lighter sentence for Armus in his case, Cafferty wrote, which means Armus has agreed to cooperate with government investigators."

to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine between February 2006 and March 2009.

According to the indictment, Armus allegedly bought cocaine in Illinois and other unnamed places, brought the cocaine back to Wisconsin and distributed the drugs among a group for wholesale and retail distribution.

A grand jury also charged Armus with:

• Six counts of possessing cocaine with the intention of distributing the drug on Feb. 19, 20, and 27, and March 14, 17 and 20, 2009. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of up to life in prison and fines of up to $16.25 million.
• Possession of a firearm across state lines for having a 12-gauge shotgun.

Armus' case was set for a status hearing at 3 pm on Aug. 24 before Judge Lynn Adelman, but the status conference was rescheduled to Sept. 10.