By KELSEY HAMMON

kelsey.hammon@leaderpub.com

 

Eight boxes of evidence including two computers were removed from Optimum Medical Weight Control and Family Medicine Tuesday, following an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Agency, Jefferson County Narcotics Division and Nederland Police.

Authorities arrived at the clinic, located at 1003 Nederland Ave. in Nederland at about 9:30 a.m. and could be seen through the building’s glass doors rounding up people in the lobby area and bringing them to a back room for questioning.

Tim Duriso, the resident agent in charge with the DEA said four employees from the clinic were being interviewed by authorities, including chairmen of the clinic, Kevin Morgan and Randall Locke. Both Morgan and Locke are certified nurse practitioners.

Duriso said he could not provide further details at this time and said that he was under the oath of U.S. Attorney General to keep the investigation confidential.

Throughout a portion of the day, three Nederland police officers continued to monitor the area outside of the clinic. Several patients of the clinic who were unaware of the activity were turned away after trying to enter the building.

Inside the clinic, cardboard boxes marked DEA evidence began piling up as investigators continued their work.

According to their website, the Optimum Family Clinic offers primary care, nutritional services, as well as hormone therapy treatments to patients. Some of the hormone treatments utilized bioidentical hormone pellet therapy. The clinic also touted weight loss through a manipulation diet using hormones. Other treatments such as Botox and medical spa treatments were also offered at the clinic.

This is not the first time Optimum has made headlines.

In November 2016, Channel 12 News reported that the Optimum was being investigated by the Board of Texas Nursing, following allegations that Morgan had violated the Nursing Practice Act by inappropriately using hormones. The claims were made by two physicians. Morgan denied the allegations and told the news channel he had done nothing wrong.

In July, two families said they were considering taking legal action after their loved ones allegedly sustained health problems following treatment at the facility, according to Channel 6.

Authorities would not confirm whether the investigation was related to these earlier incidents.

Duriso did say that Optimum has been under police observation, though he couldn’t say for how long.

Two undercover agents, who asked for media not to take their pictures were also at the scene and unable to answer questions. The agents were dressed in civilian clothes and left the clinic at about 3:30 p.m.

The raid continued throughout the day, most of it behind the closed doors outside of the lobby.

About 5:30 p.m., the doors to the clinic swung open as DEA investigators solemnly carried the boxes of evidence to a nearby vehicle.

It is not known as of press deadline whether anyone was taken into police custody and whether any charges have been brought upon the clinic. More information is expected to be released at a later date.