Trial Begins for Wichita Doctor Accused of Diverting Rx Opioids to the Streets

WICHITA, KAN. - A federal jury trial begins today for a Wichita doctor charged with unlawfully distributing opioid prescription drugs, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Dr. Steven R. Henson, 57, Wichita, Kan., who operated Kansas Men’s Clinic at 3636 N. Ridge Road in Wichita, is charged in the following counts:

• Conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs outside the course of medical practice (Counts 1 and 2).
• Unlawfully distributing controlled substances, including oxycodone, methadone or alprazolam (Counts 3 through 14, and 16).
• Unlawfully distributing methadone and alprazolam, resulting in the death of a victim on July 24, 2015, identified in court records as N.M. (Count 17)
• Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (Count 18)
• Falsifying patient records (Count 19).
• Obstruction of justice (Count 20)
• Money laundering (Counts 21 through 31).

As a physician, Henson was registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration to dispense prescription controlled substances. His registered addresses included the Wichita Men’s Clinic and a location at 1861 N. Rock Road, Suite 201.

The indictment alleges Henson:

• Wrote prescriptions without a medical need.
• Wrote prescriptions without a legitimate medical exam.
• Wrote prescriptions for people other than the ones who came to see him.
• Wrote prescriptions in return for cash.
• Post-dated prescriptions.

If convicted, the defendant will face the following penalties:

Counts 1-16: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on each count.

Count 17: Not less than 20 years and not more than life and a fine up to $1 million.

Count 18: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count 19: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count 20: A maximum penalty of one year and a fine up to $100,000.

Counts 21-25: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

Counts 26-31: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000 on each count.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the Newton Police Department, the Wichita Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh are prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct