Forrest E. Amos is facing a third strike charge related to alleged illegal large-scale sales of prescription pain meds from both inside and outside prison.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A local man who has been on police radar since 2010, first for being involved in questionable medical marijuana, then for allegedly becoming a prolific dealer of Oxycodone and working as an informant at the same time, now stands accused by Centralia police of leading organized crime.
It’s a class A felony with a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Forrest E. Amos, 30, is in the Lewis County Jail, facing 26 varied criminal charges that encompass activities which date back to the spring of 2011 and authorities say continued in prison this year while he served a 12-month sentence he secured with a plea deal.
Centralia police’s Anti-Crime Team Sgt. Jim Shannon said he picked up Amos as he was released Monday from Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen and took him into custody.
Yesterday, in Lewis County Superior Court, prosecutors requested the former Napavine area man be held on $1 million bail.
“To reflect the direct threat he poses,” Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Eric Eisenberg said. “Even behind bars, he wasn’t really controllable.”
Eisenberg also asked the judge to prohibit him access to a telephone while in the jail.
Defense attorney Bob Schroeter indicated that amount was excessive, calling the allegations apparently sour grapes from a falling out.
“The state used my client, trusted him,” Schroeter said. “And now apparently, they don’t feel that way anymore.”
Amos’s alleged drug trafficking organization from inside prison walls came to light in June when Centralia police revealed an investigation that spanned four counties and caught up to some 20 individuals including a nurse practitioner named Sharol Chavez, whose medical records and other documents were seized in Tumwater and Aberdeen.
Chavez, who allegedly supplied thousands of Oxycodone pills to Amos, is under federal investigation, according to charging documents in his case.
At the time, police said intercepted prison phone conversations and surveillance of the ensuing drug deals led to various arrests, and they were nearing the end of their local investigation.
For Amos, who first went to prison for a violent drug robbery committed when he was 16, a conviction on the main charge of leading organized crime would be a third strike.
His arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow.
More to come.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
@ famous amos you dont have a clue what your talking about so shut the fuck up
Sharol, you proclaim you didn’t prescribe 1000’s of Oxy pills then how many did you really prescribe?
People like this make it so hard for people like me to get pain meds for pain management! I was seriously hurt in an automobile accident a year ago and broke my back in 3 spots. The insurance I had did not cover back surgery. So I live everyday with severe pain. Ive been judged by doctors and treated like I was “one of those” maybe because Im not “Rich looking” so frustrating! I’m not addicted to the pain pill, Im addicted to being out of pain!
@ Devils Advocate…..as a civilian citizen, it is not my job, nor any other civilians job, to “prove” anything. Anyone, at any time can be reported for any SUSPECTED violation of HIPPA, or any any other law for that matter. This is what investigations are for……a searching inquiry for ascertaining facts; detailed or careful examination……<- that is not my role.
As to whether this really is Chavez, dont know, dont care, and it aint my position to verify the identity of the person posting.
As to whether a violation should be reported, guess that depends on your understanding and or intent of HIPPA, and your expectation from medical professionals. Yes, this should be reported, and the authorities, not me, or you, should ascertain whether a violation has occurred. Whether or not the information has already been divulged, does not grant a medical professional impunity either. When you hear about tragedies in the news, how often do you later hear the medical professionals involved in their care running their yap? Ya, not often, and that is only after they are granted specific permission to speak to very specific information.
good riddance to another worthless piece of crap. amos has known the consequences of his actions and how the SRA works against him. build enough points and it’s good by for life. see ya scumbag.
“Of all the things going on, why you are worried about what she is saying is beyond me.”
Yet here you are.
For all you who are worked up about the possible HIPPA violations of this drug dealing convict, you may want to think for a moment before reporting Sharol Chavez. Firstly, I don’t know that she’s said anything that hasn’t already been put in the press by others. Secondly, this is a public,anonymous forum. Are you CERTAIN that the person posting here is really Sharol? Can you prove it?
I could have posted as her. I could post as you and damage your reputation. I wouldn’t, but it would be easy to do and as you can see this seems to be a hot button topic, so someone may have. Of all the things going on, why you are worried about what she is saying is beyond me. Smells like a personal vendetta to me. Or maybe someone with a little too much time on their hands& not enough going on in their own life.
I was a volunteer at a hospital gift shop & at a long term facility . We were required to attend HIPPA class and abide by it. I think you protest too much.
Sharol Chevez……housekeepers in a hospital are bound by HIPPA. How much insurance reimbursement do you think they receive? I am finding it hard to believe that you could even become a healthcare professional with your obvious ignorance. Any and all PHI that you are familiar with re: Mr Amos, and any other patient you had prescription writing privileges for, was obtained while employed for a facility accepting Medicaid and Medicare insurance, which are the only two who require HIPPA compliance. The fact that you lost your privileges, does NOT grant you impunity, nor a right to disclose the PHI you learned while employed there. No, you are not necessarily obligated to the Federal HIPPA mandate now, and you can come on to a public website and run your mouth all you like. However, there can, and likely will be consequences for your disclosure of that PHI, if someone chooses to turn you in, and I hope they do. Chances are, regardless of the outcome of this federal investigation into your prescription writing habits, you will likely never work for a facility that accepts Medicaid or Medicare again. You may also be heavily fined for your unprofessional behavior and disclosure of PHI. If anyone would like to report this violation, I have attached the link where you may do so~ Good day Ms Chavez
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/
Forrest worked for the DEA, not local law enforcement.
The police sure pick some real winners for their informants =) This guy is right on par with those the cops use to do their work for them after all if you know his history you would know he beat the hell out of his friend’s dad who was dying so he could steal his pot…that wasn’t even ready yet. Knowing all about that they sign him up. No flaws in character there. Good judgement guys. Who are the cops gonna partner up with next? The girl who cut her baby’s head off?
Unfortunately this is another example of lewis county law enforcement allowing a dirtbag to run amock because hes telling on his friends. Good bye Mr. Amos and hopefully they will throw your handlers from law enforcement in the tank with you.
LisaRae….BTW I checked with the Federal Government and NO clinic or medical provider is bound by the HIPPA laws unless they accept insurance!!!I have a letter from them as proof of what I am saying. I have known this for over a year but have always protected any PHI of my patients. The fact that “HE” was my patient is public knowledge and was on the news and in this column so I am not disclosing any PHI…Don’t worry your PHI is protected……Think what you all want…..people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones……Must make you all feel warm and fuzzy to be so perfect. I can go to my grave knowing I helped thousands of people over my 30 years as a nurse and in my heart did nothing wrong. I can’t convince anyone and won’t try here. Think what you want. I have nothing to hide…..All of you haters have a nice perfect life and to the ones that believe in me…thank you all….
Hey bahlsdeep…did you even read the issue in NV? I answered the phone for an after hours medical clinic in NV while licensed and working here in WA….I was told I needed a license in the state I was working and NOT in the state where the patient was answering the phone…I was advised by MY employer incorrectly.. Had nothing to do with anything happening at this time……nothing to do with narcotics, MMJ……Quick to judge, huh???? Must be great to NEVER make a mistake…..
Sharol Chavez…….with, or without a current license to practice, yes, you are obligated to HIPPA forever, unless or until you are subpoenaed to a court of law. The loss of your practicing privilege does not grant you impunity, and allow you to disclose PHI. I am not judging your guilt or innocence, but your willingness to disregard your profession, and your lack of professionalism….speaks volumes of your character. This will not benefit your cause~
Bahlsdeep, again, I don’t know the paticulars of this case. What I was referring to is not the DEA going after marijuana, but doctors prescribing pain medication. Since this crackdown has started, the amount of meds legitimate chronic pain patients are allowed has been drastically reduced, and Drs have been having their files seized left and right.
I might fel the same way you do, but I’ve seen this scene being played out all over the country. I’m not sure what makes you so certain she is a criminal, but thankfully most of us still believe in innocent until proven guilty. You are being awful cavelier with a woman’s career and good name. Let’s just let her have her day in court.
Sharol, Sharol, Sharol…..
You were not set up, picked on or a target of the DEA’s enforcement on marijuana, you were CAUGHT. Straight up! The facts are available through DOH and public disclosure. You were/are a pill dealer with a legal nursing certificate to hide behind. Get over yourself and move on. Google Sharol Chavez and see how she was in trouble for misconduct in Nevada too.
Best of luck in court……
Thank you Amazed and others in support…I will contact her but since the DOH suspended my license without a hearing or credible evidence and most importantly the “patient” I named was scamming me I honestly don’t believe I owe him any privacy afforded under the HIPPA laws and I would NEVER violate that law under regular circumstances…But point taken…thank you….
For those of you who aren’t aware, the DEA has been raiding clinics all over and scaring the crap out of a lot of good doctors. Soon most won’t be willing to prescribe pain pills at all. My doctor said every clinic has about 10% of patients who are abusing meds and it’s impossible to weed them all out. So soon 90% of chronic pain patients who rely on medications to function normally are going to pay the price for the 10%. Try and find a pain doctor in western wa and see what you find. Every clinic save one has closed in fear or been shut down. I never worried about this until cancer hit me at age 30 and now I can’t even sit in a chair without pain. This could happen to you.
I don’t know Ms Chavez or what her prescribing standards were, but based on what I have learned recently about the DEA targeting doctors and pharmacies, I am willing to believe she is innocent until proven guilty. A career criminal is quite capable of fooling a dr. into thinking he is in pain.
@Sharol Chavez I understand you need to justify your innocence publicly. I too would be trying to do the same thing. I’m going to advise you to ask the Admin Sharyn Decker to remove your 1st comment. Why? You have just broken HIPPA laws by specifically naming a patient of yours as well as what you prescribed to him. You can of course vaguely reword & re-post a similar comment. Don’t get yourself in any deeper than you’ve already been innocently pulled into. People should not be so quick to judge the actions of a Licensed practitioner. Federally, across the country there are strict guidelines & qualifiers as well as, forms to complete when prescribing ‘scheduled drugs”.. As long as you’ve been in compliance with your pain contracts & prescribing guidelines, it will just be a matter of them clearing your ability to practice again.
For the 2 people that advised me my rights are probably correct.. I shouldn’t make ANY statements about anything in public without my attorney approving it but again..where is innocent until proven guilty?? Nothing to prove….Time will show the truth….. And for the uneducated one that has such poor grammar calling me foul…LOL…you have NO idea what you are talking about….And you obviously don’t know me..you don’t even know how to spell my name……You seen really angry….I wonder why?????
I knew them both sherol really your the most foul arnp that I have ever come across and do they know you’re still running an office and making money of prescriptions.and forest really
Sharol Chavez,
Smarten up and don’t make public statements professing your innocence. If you don’t already have an attorney you better get one. Just saying…
Ms. Chavez, I’m not an attorney but I’m thinking that yours would be telling you that talking about this in public isn’t the best idea with a federal investigation going on right now. “Anything you say can and will be used against you…” and all that. I understand your wish to declare your innocence (and I don’t disbelieve you), but this may not be the time and place for it.
FYI, I did NOT supply Mr. Amos with 1000’s of pills. I wrote normal amounts of a prescription medication for him under legal guidelines and did NOT know he was selling them!!! I found all this out later, after the fact. I have been a nurse for over 30 years and myself have kids, grand kids and I would not prescribe anything that I knew my patient was not using as directed. Each time a patient came in for a prescription they were asked if they were using the pills themselves, as directed AND I documented this. Not ONE time was I told they were not using them as directed or I would NOT have prescribed them. I truly got caught up in this as an innocent player in this illegal enterprise and was unaware until it was too late.
Interesting – three persons in the LC jail right now with the same last name and two on drug charges. Prolly just a coincidence.