Butte judge faces 12 felony dangerous drug charges

BUTTE (AP) — A Butte justice of the peace who authorities say doctor-shopped to get multiple prescriptions for the painkiller methadone has been charged with 12 felony counts of fraudulently obtaining dangerous drugs.

Robert "Bob" E. Lee was charged Friday in Anaconda District Court, The Montana Standard reported (http://bit.ly/wrF9jP ).

Authorities allege Lee received simultaneous care from physicians through much of 2010 to get the prescriptions, and filled the prescriptions at different pharmacies.

Earlier on Friday in a separate case, Lee was sentenced in Butte District Court to a one-year deferred sentence, meaning he could avoid incarceration if he didn't have additional legal trouble.

Lee in November pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of negligent endangerment. Lee, who was initially charged with misdemeanor DUI, was accused of driving to the courthouse on Nov. 13, 2010, while under the influence of the prescription medication. Police testified they found him wandering around the police station appearing confused and impaired.

At his sentencing in Butte District Court, Judge Loren Tucker said Lee's case appeared to be a "personal problem" caused by chronic pain and not intentional criminal behavior.

"Judge Lee, I'm very concerned about you as an individual," Tucker said.

Asked by Tucker if he would like to comment, Lee said: "I'm comfortable with the proceedings, the way they are proceeding."

Tucker asked Lee if he needed a chemical dependency evaluation. Lee's attorney then gave a letter to Tucker from Lee's physician. After reading the letter, Tucker decided Lee didn't need to go through a chemical dependency treatment.

In the felony charges filed against Lee on Friday, the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force said records from local doctors and pharmacies turned up 35 prescriptions for methadone for Lee alternating between doctors in Whitehall and Anaconda.

Authorities said the prescription dates ranged from January 2010 to November 2010.

Authorities said Lee filled methadone prescriptions from the doctor in Anaconda while keeping secret information that he recently filled other methadone prescriptions from the doctor in Whitehall.