Former Wichita doctor convicted of operating 'pill mill'

A former Wichita doctor has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for illegally selling opioid medications and painkillers to people who did not have a legitimate medical need.

A jury found Steven Henson, 63, guilty of making a false document and attempting to obstruct a court order, and he pleaded guilty to several other charges:

• two counts of conspiracy to dispense, distribute and possess with intent to distribute
controlled substances,
• eight counts of distribution and aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute
controlled substances,
• five counts of distribution of controlled substances, and
• six counts of money laundering.

Henson admitted to examining patients with illegitimate pain at his Wichita clinic between July 2014 and August 2015 and writing them prescriptions for oxycodone, methadone and alprazolam in exchange for money. He typically met with his co-conspirator clients outside of office hours, without staff present, and charged $300 for the visit. These co-conspirator clients told Henson what controlled substances they wanted, and he obliged them with a prescription without conducting examinations, obtaining a medical history, or determining whether the requested medication was necessary. Prosecutors said Henson often prescribed the highest possible dosages and high pill counts.