A U.S. District Judge recently approved a Texarkana, Ark.-based emergency medicine physician's request to move his trial from April to August, according to the Texarkana Gazette.
Lonnie J. Parker, MD, allegedly prescribed about 1.2 million doses of opioids — including oxycodone and hydrocodone — to approximately 1,500 patients and about 16 gallons of cough syrup to 29 patients during a two-year period.
Dr. Parker provided drugs of abuse to patients "without an effective prescription," according to a nine-count indictment.
In October, he was arrested and plead not guilty to the charges. He was later released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.
Dr. Parker was convicted of possessing child pornography in 2000 and served more than four years in prison. His medical license was reinstated in 2015.
Jury selection for the case will take place Aug. 17.