United States v. Christopher Elder, M.D.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In late 2008 a Texas physician and three other defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury for participating in a conspiracy to illegally distribute prescription drugs. Prescriptions were written in Texas and later filled by a Missouri pharmacy and shipped back to Texas.

Mary Lynn Rostie, 57, and Cynthia S. Martin, 49, both of Belton, and Christopher L. Elder, M.D., 36, Troy R. Solomon, 43, and Delmon L. Johnson, 49, all of Houston, Texas, were charged in an indictment that was returned on Feb. 6, 2008, by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. On the eve of trial, charges were dropped againt Delmon Johnson. Following a nearly two week jury trial, Doctor Christopher Elder and Mr. Troy Solomon were convicted of being part of the scheme. Both Dr. Elder, a board certified pain management physician, and Mr. Solomon, a Houston pharmacy owner, have vigorously denied any wrong doing and vow to continue to fight against the government charges post verdict. Both defendants are challenging the sufficiency of the government's evidence through motions for new trial. No sentencing date has been set for any defendant.

Lawyers for defendants Elder and Solomon have expressed their dismay over what they see as a failure of the jury to give adequate consideration to the case. John Osgood, attorney for Doctor Elder said "there were more than 1100 exhibits, many of them clearly favorable to Doctor Elder. For whatever reason, judging by the length of the deliberations, the jury apparently chose to ignore the exhibits and simply looked at an index that did not adequately explain the case before reaching a verdict." Mr. Chip Lewis, a Houston, Texas attorney who represented Mr. Solomon expressed similar concerns and noted, "Mr. Solomon believes he will be vindicated eventually after further review of the case and we will continue to fight this through the appellate courts."