Two doctors are in jail charged with practicing medicine without a license and trafficking narcotics after a raid on a St. Petersburg clinic

By: Sara Dorsey

St. Petersburg, Florida -

St. Petersburg, Florida, Jose Salmeron, Patient:

“They say put your hands up.”

Jose Salmeron came to the Doctor's Urgent Care Clinic today for pain medicine he says he needs after being in three car accidents, but he quickly found himself in the middle of a raid.

Jose Salmeron, Patient:

“I didn't know anything about it. I just know that I'm hurt and I'm supposed to have surgery later and everything and I'm supposed to be seeing a doctor.”

Jose's doctors are the ones in trouble. Sheriff's officials say a five month undercover investigation revealed doctors handing out prescriptions to just about anyone for a price.

Capt. Michael Platt, PinellasCounty Sheriff's Office:

“We'd go in pay in cash no exam or little exam and obtain oxycodone, oxycontin and many other drugs that are highly addictive with next to no exam.”

Four people working at the clinic are now in custody. Dr. Alex Petro was allegedly prescribing narcotics, which is illegal for a chiropractor like himself. Deputies say Dr. Mary Jane Eicher was prescribing pain killers too without a valid medical license. Saleem Sharar a physician's assistant and Jon freed the office manager are also in custody. All four are charged with practicing medicine without a license and trafficking drugs. Police say the two doctors also face racketeering charges. Officials say the worst part is that many of these drugs were making it back to the streets.

Capt. Michael Platt, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office:

“We saw patients that would leave here under surveillance go to a pharmacy go fill their prescriptions and come outside and deal their drugs to people who were waiting in the parking lot.”

Investigators say the raid is only the tip of the iceberg. The investigation is ongoing.

The charges are as follows:

Dr. Alex Petro

• 3 counts of practicing medicine without a license
• 2 counts of racketeering
• 1 count trafficking hydrocodone over 28 grams

Dr. Mary Jane Eicher

• 2 counts of practicing medicine without a license
• 1 counts of racketeering
• 1 count trafficking oxycodone

Saleem Sharar

• 4 counts of practicing medicine without a license
• 3 counts of racketeering
• 1 count trafficking hydrocodone

Jon Freed

• 1 count practicing medicine without a license
• 1 count trafficking hydrocodone