An orthopedic surgeon at Rhode Island Hospital faces charges that he conspired with a co-worker to distribute Vicodin, Percocet and Adderall to several hospital employees using fake or forged prescriptions, according to federal criminal charges. In addition to allegedly distributing drugs to hospital staff, Robert J. Villarreal, MD, of Boston also acknowledged performing surgery while under the influence of drugs.

Dr. Villarreal, 33, conspired with orthopedic nursing assistant Gary Menissian, 49, of Providence, to distribute the drugs, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The ruse began after Dr. Villarreal's doctor prescribed him Adderall, an often-abused stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Court records explain that Dr. Villarreal began to forge the prescriptions when his consumption of the drug exceeded the prescribed dosage.

Between July 2009 and June 2011, he wrote himself at least 55 prescriptions for the painkillers Percocet and Vicodin as well as for Adderall by forging the name of a doctor under whom he completed his residency on Rhode Island Hospital prescription pads, says a DEA affidavit. In addition, Dr. Villarreal allegedly forged prescriptions for 8 hospital employees, who would in return fill his prescriptions and deliver his pills, says the DEA. At other times, Mr. Menissian picked up the drugs.

According to the affidavit, agents learned of the drug distribution ring last month. One of the hospital employees, who had allegedly received a prescription for Adderall after complaining to Mr. Menissian about having difficulty staying awake, agreed to act as a cooperating witness. The witness said he also filled more than 20 Vicodin prescriptions that Dr. Villarreal had written for himself and delivered them to the doctor or Mr. Menissian.

Late last month, the witness agreed to meet Mr. Menissian at the Rhode Island Hospital's retail pharmacy, records show, where he filled prescriptions for Adderall and Vicodin. Days later, the witness agreed to meet Dr. Villarreal at the parking garage behind the hospital. DEA agents confronted Dr. Villarreal with the Vicodin bottle in hand, the affidavit says.

Dr. Villarreal told the agents he took about 20 Adderall a day. "Villarreal also told me that he had performed orthopedic surgeries while under the influence of pharmaceuticals he was not prescribed," a DEA agent wrote. Surveillance videos also show him filling phony prescriptions for the anti-anxiety drug Ativan.

The court released Dr. Villarreal on a $50,000 bond and ordered him to enroll in substance abuse and mental health counseling. He surrendered his DEA license to prescribe drugs. Mr. Menissian is free on a $10,000 bond. Rhode Island Hospital has revoked Dr. Villarreal's privileges and suspended Mr. Menissian. Efforts to reach Dr. Villarreal for comment were unsuccessful. James McCormick, Mr. Menissian's attorney, declined to comment on the pending prosecution.

Dan O'Connor