WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — A Warner Robins doctor is in the Houston County jail for allegedly making dozens of fake and fraudulent prescriptions.
Dr. Alan Struth was arrested Monday around 9 a.m. on 3 counts of drug conspiracy charges, warrants show.
One of his patients had no idea until they showed up for their 11 a.m. appointment Monday.
Sandra White said she's been seeing Struth for almost a decade. Right now, she's dealing with some arthritis pain, congestion and some other health issues.
When she arrived for her appointment, she says she did not expect to see DEA officers in front of her doctor's office.
"They're standing in the doorway, and I thought that's weird, that the DEA is standing there, and I'm wondering if they got a patient out of control because they didn't give 'em drugs, or something," White said.
As she gathered her things before getting out of the car, one officer came out to explain what happened.
"I roll down the window and he hands me this, and just says, 'Dr. Struth will no longer be practicing here,'" White said.
White said she never expected her doctor to become the suspect of a crime.
"Over the years I've noticed he's a big talker, he loves to talk to people," White said. "He's very personable, very likable."
Warrants from the district attorney's office show he and a second person, Karlee Autumn Steele, were arrested for making dozens of fraudulent prescriptions.
It also says they distributed thousands of doses of Alprazolam, which is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, as well as opioids, like Hydrocodone and Oxycodone.
They allegedly committed the crimes from November of 2021 until June 21, 2024.
White said her biggest concern right now is finding a new doctor and getting records transferred.
"How do I get a copy of that thing? I don't have a copy of it, and nobody's answering the phone," White said.
The sheriff's office says the law requires medical staff to maintain those records for at least 5 years, but law enforcement has no way of forcing them to share records.
If you have any information that may help investigators, you can reach the Houston County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit at 478-922-1313.