TRUMBULL COUNTY Former dentist for inmates at jail to appear in court on drug charges

The charges deal with Oxycontin.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The former dentist at the Trumbull County jail is to return to court next week to face drug charges.
Dr. Anthony J. Montevideo, 35, whose private practice is in Niles, appeared Monday before Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court on secret indictments on two counts of illegal processing of drug documents, aggravated possession of drugs and deception to obtain a dangerous drug. He pleaded innocent to the charges.
Police have accused him of possessing or making a false or forged prescription for Oxycontin, a powerful pain medication, and of possessing the drug.
Bond was set at $10,000, and Dave Toepfer, an assistant county prosecutor, asked for a stipulation that Dr. Montevideo, of Margaret Street, Niles, not be able to practice medicine with any county jail inmate.
He declined to say whether the charges are connected to the jail. A pretrial is set for Feb. 11.
Suspicious of prescription
Girard Police Capt. Frank Bigowsky said the investigation originated in November in Girard when a suspicious prescription was passed. Girard police called in federal agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
"There was concerns because he's the Trumbull County Jail dentist," Bigowsky said. "That threw up some red flags."
Dr. Philip Malvasi, who has the medical contract at the jail, said he was shocked to learn of the charges. Dr. Montevideo was the jail dentist for 16 to 18 months, but his employment was terminated about 21/2 months ago, Dr. Malvasi said.
"He wasn't showing up for work," said Dr. Malvasi, who is a candidate for Trumbull County coroner.
The dentist was to come to the jail each Friday to see inmates, Dr. Malvasi added.
The investigation also involved the Mahoning Valley Drug Task Force, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Ohio Dental Board and the county prosecutor's office, Bigowsky said, adding that the investigation continues.
Michael Everhart, assistant director of the Ohio Dental Board, said board investigators typically work with law enforcement to gather information when a dentist is charged with a crime.
The information is presented to the board for consideration, Everhart added.