The Tribune

Investigators continue to review records taken from the Pinnacle Wellness and Longevity Center located at 407 S. Third St., Suite B, Ironton, following the execution of a search warrant for the documents on Tuesday morning.

The wellness center, suspected of being an alleged pill mill, has been the focus of an investigation by the office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine for the past year, according to a spokesperson with DeWine’s office.

The investigation began at 8:45 Tuesday by drug enforcement agents, members of the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Ironton Police and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. The doctor, patients and an office worker were interviewed by investigators.

“They are seeing if all the prescriptions were prescribed for legitimate needs,” Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless said.

As the interviews were ongoing, a truck pulled into the parking lot of the center, refused to stop and was chased by Lawless before it was stopped about three blocks away from the scene.

“They entered a crime scene without stopping,” Lawless said. “They ignored the officer on foot. Once we had them stopped, they admitted to being a patient at the clinic. Drug enforcement wanted to interview them as far as their involvement with the clinic.”

The investigators are going through all evidence at the scene to make a determination if the clinic will remain open, the sheriff said. That decision will be made by DeWine’s office.