PEDIATRICIAN CHARGED IN DRUG DISTRIBUTION

An Augusta pediatrician charged with illegally distributing prescription
painkillers surrendered to authorities at the Richmond County jail
Wednesday. Tito Carlos Sobrinho, 64, of Conifer Court, faces felony counts
of distribution of meperidine and distribution of Vicodin.

Meperidine is the generic name for Demerol. Vicodin made headlines recently
when Friends star Matthew Perry admitted an addiction to the drug and
checked himself into a rehabilitation center.

Richmond County District Attorney Danny Craig said he did not know the
details of the case, but he said it might involve the doctor prescribing
the drugs to women, possibly in their 20s.

"Our investigation showed he did not have the authority under these
circumstances," Mr. Craig said.

Dr. Sobrinho has a practice on J. Dewey Gray Circle. He is also affiliated
with some local hospitals, including Doctors Hospital, spokeswoman Ginger
Tyra said.

A woman who answered the phone at his residence Wednesday night said he had
an emergency call at the hospital and was not home. According to the jail,
he had not bonded out at the time.