Dr. John Francis Mitchell, 70, of Quakertown, was charged May 23, with nine counts of alleged unlawful administration, dispensing, delivery, gift or prescription of a controlled substance and four counts of the alleged sale, dispensing distribution, prescription or gift by a practitioner otherwise authorized by law so to do of any controlled substance to any person known to such practitioner to be or whom such practitioner has reason to know is a drug defendant person.

Mitchell, said to be a psychiatry specialist, had offices at 1605 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown and previously at 555 Harrison St., Emmaus.

According to documents from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Mitchell’s medical license was last renewed Nov. 3, 2020 and expires Dec. 31.

Court documents reveal the investigation began with the death of a 32-year-old female May 5, 2018 who was found alone in a bedroom with several prescription bottles allegedly prescribed by Mitchell. The prescriptions were filled at a pharmacy in Allentown.

Once the investigation began, it was determined 15 of Mitchell’s patients were prescribed high amounts of opioids or stimulants according to the probable cause documents.

A search was conducted at Mitchell’s Allentown office July 27, 2018 where prescription bottles with patients’ names filled with medications were allegedly found which is against Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulations.

Patient files were then reviewed by an independent doctor to see if the prescriptions were written in good faith, within the scope of the doctor/patient relationship and in accordance with accepted treatment principles.

It is alleged Mitchell prescribed higher doses than recommended by the United States Food and Drug Administration, he did not have controlled substance agreements outlining responsibilities in taking the addictive medication and did not use urine screening to monitor patients taking the prescribed medical treatment.

In addition, Mitchell allegedly failed to keep appropriate medical records on patients.

Mitchell was arraigned before Judge Michael Pochron in Salisbury Township. He posted $75,000 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing June 9.