Court Upholds Alien-Hunting, Drug-Addicted Doc's License Suspension

A plastic surgeon who shot aliens with a crossbow in his backyard — and who is accused of prescribing himself and friends painkillers, and performing a 9-hour surgery in his office without hospital staff privileges — can have his medical license suspended by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, a state appeals court has ruled.

According to the state medical board, plastic surgeon James Bruce Johnson, MD, had admitted in 2004 to "having a lifelong chemical dependency problem while practicing as a full-time surgeon." He voluntarily sought treatment that year for drug and alcohol abuse, say court documents. The next year, he was diagnosed as dependent on cocaine, alcohol and opiates, along with being diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder; he agreed to subject himself to regular urine testing for alcohol and drugs.

The board of medicine says Dr. Johnson "did not seek treatment of his own accord," but rather was hospitalized after the alien-hunting incident. Neighbors saw him shooting a crossbow. Dr. Johnson attributes the "psychotic" episode in his backyard to drug-cessation withdrawal, and maintains he has not used drugs or alcohol since February 13, 2005. The board also maintains that Dr. Johnson ran afoul of other licensure rules, including prescribing himself medication, operating without privileges, and prescribing medications after his license had been suspended in 2009.

After Dr. Johnson was charged with various violations of the Medical Malpractice Act, a hearing before the board of medicine ensued in August 2009. In October 2009, the board found he'd violated the act and suspended his license until he could demonstrate 6 months' sobriety under the board's substance abuse program.

The board ordered him to "immediately and permanently to relinquish his [Drug Enforcement Agency] registration. … [and] not engage in the practice of medicine in any form in the state of Louisiana unless the Board issues and serves … a written order authorizing his practice in this state," according to a disciplinary listing on the board's website. The board left open the possibility of this authorization, saying successful completion would result in a 5-year probationary license.

Dr. Johnson filed suit in district court in November 2009; the court affirmed the board's ruling in May 2010. Dr. Johnson appealed the court's decision, but the Louisiana State Court of Appeal Fourth Circuit held in April 2011 that the state medical board did not act arbitrarily and capriciously, nor did it abuse its discretion. As such, the board's suspension of the license was upheld. Lawyers for both sides did not respond to requests for comment.

Stephanie Wasek