SHREVEPORT DOCTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGES

A popular Shreveport ear, nose and throat doctor - in a plea agreement
reached with federal prosecutors - pleaded guilty to two drug and firearms
charges in U.S. District Court on Tuesday.

Dr. Christopher Greer, 37, of Bossier City pleaded guilty to one count of
prescription fraud and one count of carrying a firearm while being a user
or addicted to a controlled substance.

Greer, faces up to 14 years in prison and fines of nearly $300,000 on the
charges. Both prosecution and defense attorneys said the actual sentence
will likely be far less - probably about one to two years. Federal Judge
Tom Stagg set a Feb. 12 sentencing date. Greer remains free on bond.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Hathaway was prosecuting attorney. Greer was
defended by Mike Small of Alexandria.

A practicing physician for the past 10 years in Shreveport, Greer was
arrested April 20 in the parking lot of a Shreveport drug store in a case
triggered by an anonymous call to Shreveport Police.

Their investigation was ultimately turned over to the Drug Enforcement
Administration, which determined Greer was writing prescriptions for
OxyContin to feed a 10 to 20 pills a day drug addiction. OxyContin is a
narcotic painkiller. Some of the prescriptions were written in the name of
Greer's grandmother. Others were in the names of people he paid to have the
prescriptions filled for him.

A six-count federal indictment handed up in May accused Greer of contacting
a friend about filling a fraudulent prescription for OxyContin. Greer
picked up the friend and drove to Drug Emporium on East Kings Highway in
Shreveport. On the way to the drug store, Greer filled out a prescription
for 60 OxyContin in the friend's name.

"The prescription "was outside the usual course of professional practice
and not for a legitimate medical purpose," according to the indictment. The
prescription was filled and immediately handed over to Greer, who was then
approached by agents with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
During Greer's arrest, DEA agents confiscated a pistol.

While awaiting trial, Greer underwent and completed voluntary drug
addiction rehabilitation at a private facility in Rayville. In August, the
state Board of Medical Examiners indefinitely suspended his license to
practice medicine.

Prior to accepting Greer's plea bargain Tuesday, Stagg asked: "Tell me, is
that your purpose here today?"

Greer: "Yes, your honor."

Then, referring to Greer's state of mind, Stagg said: "I need to ask
whether you are clear-headed and fully informed of the charges against you?"

Greer: "Yes, your honor. Today I am clear-headed."

Stagg: "You're pleading guilty because you are, in fact, guilty as charged?"

Greer: "Yes, your honor.

Stagg: "Dr. Greer now stands convicted as charged."