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Updated: 9:54 PM May 4, 2009
Heart Doctor Agrees to Plea Deal, Avoids Jail Time
Doctor John Van Deren of Ashland agreed to the plea Monday morning in Boyd County Circuit Court.
Posted: 10:19 AM May 4, 2009Reporter: Randy Yohe Email Address: randy.yohe@wsaz.com |
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UPDATE: Monday 5/4 @ 10:15am
CATTLETSBURG, Ky. (WSAZ) -- A local heart doctor arrested on drug charges has agreed to a plea deal.
Doctor John Van Deren of Ashland agreed to the plea Monday morning in Boyd County Circuit Court.
Van Deren pleaded guilty to two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one misdemeanor count of DUI.
According to the plea agreement, Van Deren will avoid jail time by entering a 2-year diversion program.
The judge said at the end of the 2 years the charges could be stricken from his record.
Van Deren was arrested during a traffic stop on I-64 back in November.
Kentucky State Police charged Van Deren with possession of cocaine, driving under the influence with a suspended license, and a prescription not in a proper container.
According to the KSP report at the time, the doctor failed field sobriety tests. Troopers also said that he admitted to being high on OxyContin and cocaine while he was driving.
Earlier this year, Van Deren rejected a plea agreement in the case. His medical license is currently suspended.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.
UPDATE: Friday 3/20 from 6 p.m. Newscast
CATLETTSBURG, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Dr. John Van Deren's defense lawyer said Friday that he's confident the case will be resolved before possibly heading to trial May 4.
"We'll continue our efforts to see if this case can be resolved informally," David Mussetter said. "I'm optimistic we can reach some sort of agreement."
Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Jeremy Clark said the 50-year-old Van Deren is "being treated just like any other first offender."
A King's Daughters Medical Center spokesperson said Van Deren is on a leave of absence, and the hospital supports the well-respected physician and will decide on his future employment when the legal matter is resolved. He currently is not practicing medicine.
Lawyers with Kentucky's State Medical Board will only say that Van Deren's case is under investigation.
Van Deren has another lawyer working to have the doctor keep his medical license. Van Deren also is working with the state's Impaired Physicians Committee, a group that treats and rehabs addicted doctors.
They said they have great success in helping doctors recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
UPDATE: Friday 3/20 @ 10:15
CATTLETSBURG, Ky. (WSAZ) -- A plea agreement for a local doctor arrested on drugs charges was rejected during a hearing in Boyd County Circuit Court Friday morning.
As a result, a May 4th trial date was set for Dr. John Van Deren.
Following the hearing, Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Jeremy Clark told WSAZ.com that Van Deren's attorney rejected the plea agreement.
Clark says that agreement would have included diversion and no jail time.
Kentucky State Police charged Van Deren with possession of cocaine, driving under the influence with a suspended license, and a prescription not in a proper container.
According to the KSP report at the time, the doctor failed field sobriety tests. Troopers also said that he admitted to being high on OxyContin and cocaine while he was driving.
Van Deren's attorney left immediately following the hearing, so we were not able to get a comment from him about the case.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information.
ORIGINAL STORY
CATTLETSBURG, Ky. (WSAZ) -- A local doctor arrested on drug charges is expected to plead guilty Friday morning.
Doctor John Van Deren of Ashland was arrested during a traffic stop on I-64 back in November.
Kentucky State Police charged Van Deren with possession of cocaine, driving under the influence with a suspended license, and a prescription not in a proper container.
According to the KSP report at the time, the doctor failed field sobriety tests. Troopers also said that he admitted to being high on OxyContin and cocaine while he was driving.
Back in November, The Commonwealth Attorney’s office told us there was enough evidence for probable cause, so the case would bypass the grand jury and head straight to trial.
Following his arrest, Van Deren spent time in rehab.
According to the court docket, Van Deren is expected to enter a plea in Boyd County Circuit Court at 9:30; Details of the plea have not been released.
Dr. Van Deren is a Cardiologist at Kings Daughters Medical center.
Latest Comments
http://www.kbml.ky.gov/board/phys.htm This web site contains all Kentucky board licensed professionals and is updated daily. Dr. Van Daren has kept his license. All professionals are offered an intervention program that does not affect their license. The specifics of this program are also found at this website. The reason he was offered this program was because none of his procedures resulted in poor outcomes. It MAY have been different if he had documented negative outcomeS. Just as HVC Nurse pointed out, every procedure incurs risks. That is why you sign consent before a procedure. This physician has contributed greatly to society as a whole. Most addicts are unemployed, have multiple law enforcement interactions, and contribute nothing to society. These same addicts are given chance after chance and may never see any jail time. Take a trip one morning to the courthouse or view their website for proof of this fact. You people are either addicts, criminals or ignorant! You choose.....
Regarding Wow, Your father's procedure didn't take because he continued the bad habits from before his originial procedure. This physician only prolongs the lives of those that were suppose to die.
Dr. Van daren did lose his licesure. He is currently petetioning the board to get reinvoked. You cannot be a convicted felon and keep your right to practice without going in front of the board. Considering the extent of his charges, I would be very surprised if they grant his wish. Its sad, but Dr.'s are human too, and fall pray to these things just like others do. Hopefully this will help him get his life straight.
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