SW Virginia doctor facing 85-count indictment for illegally prescribing drugs

A doctor from Southwest Virginia is facing an 85-count federal indictment for illegally prescribing opioids.

Court documents say Phillip A. Peterson was arrested Wednesday and charged with multiple counts of selling or distributing a controlled substance. Prosecutors said Peterson, 63, issued prescriptions for a number of patients without a medical purpose while working at a family practice office in Bluefield.