BLUE RIDGE - Zell Miller Drug Task Force agents confirmed Friday an emergency medicine doctor with Union General Hospital was arrested in Fannin County earlier this week.
Dr. David Gowder was booked into the Fannin County Detention Center on Wednesday, April 1. The Fannin County Sheriff's Office on Thursday said Gowder had been arrested.
On Friday, Zell Miller DTF Commander Brandon Owens said Gowder was writing prescriptions for himself and attempting to have them filled.
"Agents were investigating another case at Walmart in Blue Ridge that morning and Walmart had given them information that the doctor had attempted to pass two prescriptions there, earlier that day and those prescriptions were denied," said Owens.
Owen said agents found that Gowder had reportedly passed one prescription at the Ingles grocery store. The agents went to Ingles, located Gowder and arrested him.
"Right now, he's being charged with forgery in the first degree, one count, and also one count misdemeanor prescription fraud, and that could be bumped up to a felony count if the District Attorney's office sees fit to do that," said Owens.
According to Union General's website, Gowder is an emergency medicine physician. The company also operates Chatuge Regional Hospital in Hiawassee. The main facility in Blairsville is a 45-bed facility that opened in 1959.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/4/300948/union-general-hospital-emergency-md-arrested-by-drug-agents-in-fannin-co