Doctor was arrested on suspicion he contributed to the deaths of five people by distributing controlled substances and committed health care fraud

EL PASO, Texas— According to the statement, his name is Brian James August and he was arrested by federal authorities on 15 charges.

The 61-year-old doctor is charged on suspicion of five counts of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death or serious bodily injury, five counts of distribution of a controlled substance and five counts of health care fraud resulting in death.

After conviction, Dr. August faces 20 years to life in federal prison for the drug charges resulting in death; up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the remaining drug charges; and up to life in federal prison for each of the health care fraud charges.

The indictment alleges that between December 2012 and March 2018, Dr. August, who practiced Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation aka “physiatry,” prescribed and dispensed controlled substances, including methadone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, hydrocodone and oxycodone, outside the usual course of medical practice and without legitimate medical purpose, resulting in the deaths of five victims.

He is also alleged to have committed health care fraud by billing for services he did not perform.

The doctor remains in federal custody.

His initial appearance is expected to take place at 2 p.m. Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anne T. Berton in El Paso.