Psychiatrist accused of prescription fraud

Nov. 19--CARTHAGE -- A Moore County psychiatrist accused of prescribing himself a powerful sleep aid and writing his wife prescriptions for sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs was arrested on Wednesday.

Dr. Olin Mackay Fox, 60, of Pinehurst was indicted by a Moore County grand jury Monday on six felony counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, four felony counts of conspiracy to obtain a controlled substance by fraud and two felony counts of insurance fraud.

The case follows a six-month probe conducted by the Moore County Sheriff's Office and State Bureau of Investigation.

Indictments allege Fox, while on staff at Carolina Behavioral Care in Pinehurst, misused his authority as a physician and self-prescribed the controlled substance Ambien.

As listed in Monday's indictment, Fox prescribed his wife, Denise Fox, multiple controlled substances including Ambien and Lunesta, which are sleeping pills, and the anti-anxiety medications temazepam and lorazepam.

Fox is also accused of providing controlled substances to his stepson, David Etchison.

A legitimate doctor-patient relationship was not found between Fox, Denise Fox and David Etchison, officials said.

The illegal prescription activity took place for about three years and involved more than 5,200 prescription pills, according to investigators.

Olin and Denise Fox used their private insurance to pay for the fraudulent prescriptions, authorities said, which resulted in a cost of $14,242.44.

A public file concerning Fox and these allegations was issued by the North Carolina Medical Board earlier this year and is accessible on the board's website.

Olin Fox was arrested Wednesday and issued a $50,000 secured bond before being placed into custody at the Moore County Detention Center in Carthage.

The joint investigation is ongoing and additional information is being reviewed, officials said.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

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