TRUMBULL COUNTY Trial slated April 11 for doctor in medication dispensing case

WARREN -- Trial is set for April 11 for a pain management doctor facing multiple charges in connection with improperly dispensing pain medication.
Dr. William E. Masters, 72, of Genesee Avenue Northeast, was ill and could not attend a scheduled pretrial hearing Monday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court; the matter will be rescheduled.
Dr. Masters and two others -- Dr. Christopher J. Sherman, 53, of Old Wagon Lane, Howland; and Charles W. Theisler, 53, of Ruby Court, Austintown -- are indicted on charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, aggravating trafficking in drugs, trafficking in drugs, illegal processing of drug documents and practicing medicine without a certificate.
All three had worked out of Pain Management Associates, 5000 E. Market St.
Masters and Sherman are medical doctors. Theisler is a chiropractor, officials said. Dr. Masters and Theisler both face a 118-count indictment. Dr. Sherman faces a 120-count indictment. The three all pleaded innocent in March and were released after posting $50,000 bonds.
The indictment alleges that Dr. Sherman and Dr. Masters permitted Theisler to issue presigned prescriptions to patients for controlled substances. Some of the prescriptions were for OxyContin, a highly addictive prescription painkiller, prosecutors said.