Browne faces drug charge

By Tonia Noe-Rose

May 7, 2008 May 16, 2008 07:24 pm

— Additional information concerning a Florida physician charged with drug conspiracy has surfaced and reportedly states that in April 2007 Roger A. Browne was charged with attempted sexual battery, reported by an intern at the doctorÕs office where he worked.
Browne, 52, was arrested in Florida in April and accused of being the ringleader in the trafficking of illegal prescription drugs into six Kentucky counties including Rowan, Carter and Elliott.
Medical files for nearly 500 Kentucky residents were discovered April 14 at American Health and Rehabilitation, the office where Dr. Roger A. Browne worked in.
Browne was indicted April 3 by a Federal grand jury in Lexington. According to the indictment, Browne conspired with others Òto knowingly and intentionally distribute oxycodone in several northeastern Kentucky countiesÓ.
A Florida news release April 13, 2007, stated Browne allegedly, on April 12, attempted sexual battery against an intern at American Health and Rehabilitation. According to the media report, Browne and the intern went out to a local restaurant for appetizers and drinks after closing the office. At approximately 11 p.m., the two returned to the office parking lot and remained in his car during a shower of rain. While in BrowneÕs vehicle, he made several alleged advances on the female, including fondling the victim and masturbating while on top of her.
After several attempts to stop the doctor to no avail, the victim was able to leave the vehicle and reported the incident to Coral Springs Police Department.
Browne was arrested by the Coral Springs Police Department, charged with sexual battery attempt and released on bond May 8. A trial in the matter is set for June 23.
During a detention and removal hearing April 21 in Florida, Judge Robin Rosenbaum said she was aware of the April 13 arrest.
ÒBecause no trial in this matter has yet occurred, I have not considered the nature of the offense charged or the fact that the defendant was charged with a felony in that case in assessing danger to the community. Rather, I find the sole relevance of this information to pertain to the fact that the defendant is alleged to have committed the instant offense while out on bond in another case,Ó Rosenbaum stated during the court hearing. ÒOverall, therefore, I find that defendantÕs history and characteristics fail to rebut the presumption of risk of flight and danger to the community.Ó
A call was made Friday to the American Health and Rehabilitation Center to inquire about BrowneÕs employment at the center. The reporter identified herself as a news reporter from Kentucky and said she was seeking information about Browne.
Rovon refused to give his last name, the name of his supervisor or answer any questions. He did agree to take a message for the supervisor.
He was asked to have the supervisor call The Journal-Times with the answers to some questions including the length of time of BrowneÕs employment there, why he remained employed after charged with a felony and how he allegedly was involved in prescribing illegal pain medication to nearly 500 Kentucky residents without any one at the clinic having any knowledge.
As of Tuesday afternoon, no one from American Health Rehabilitation had returned the call.
Browne is being held without bond. Extradition to Kentucky is expected in the case, where Browne will face the federal indictment and a maximum imprisonment of 20 years if found guilty.

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