SAVANNAH, GA: WILLIAM ELLIEN, 57, of Savannah, Georgia, pled guilty yesterday before the United States District Judge William Moore, Jr., for distributing drugs to his customers without a legitimate medical purpose.
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing, Ellien, a Savannah psychiatrist, exchanged prescriptions for very addictive prescription drugs for sex acts with various women from 2009 through 2012. Ellien, who remains in federal custody, is facing up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system. A sentencing date will be set upon the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “This doctor violated his oath, preyed upon patients, and turned into a common criminal, all for his own personal gratification. Whether street pushers or physicians, all drug dealers can expect that justice will be swift and the punishment will be severe."
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney, E. Greg Gilluly, Jr. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
