An anesthesiologist from Neptune, N.J., is under arrest after a summer-long sting operation foiled his plan to sell prescriptions for painkillers, police said.

An undercover detective paid Barry K. Ray Jr., MD, more than $1,000 to provide the pain med prescriptions, says the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Over the course of meetings with the undercover detective at a New Jersey restaurant, Dr. Ray agreed to write the scripts in exchange for a fee based on the number of pills the undercover detective would sell. Jersey Shore University Medical Center fired Dr. Ray, 36, who worked at the hospital since 2005, as a result of the charges, says a hospital spokesman.

Police also said they seized a small quantity of cocaine, along with Roxicodone and Xanax, in a search of Dr. Ray's home. They also said they seized hollow-point bullets, which are prohibited weapons. A judge set bail at $100,000.

The charges against Dr. Ray include second-degree conspiracy to distribute a prescription legend drug; two counts of fourth-degree destruction, falsification or alteration of medical care records; third- and fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance; and fourth-degree possession of hollow-point bullets. Dr. Ray could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years if convicted of the second-degree crime, up to 5 years for a third-degree crime, and up to 18 months for the fourth-degree crime.

"The activities of Dr. Ray that were uncovered by this investigation undermine society's trust in our medical professionals. The illicit sale of prescription medication poses a great danger in our communities. Such conduct will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted by this office no matter where it takes place or who is behind the activity," says Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin.

[Update] "We are deeply concerned by any allegation of improper conduct by any member of the hospital team, regardless of where the alleged misconduct may have occurred, and we continue to cooperate with the authorities during this investigation," says hospital spokesman Robert Cavanaugh of Dr. Ray's arrest and subsequent dismissal from the Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Dan O'Connor

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