PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- New federal drug charges have been filed against a Philadelphia doctor who has been accused of performing late-term abortions, officials said.
Kermit Gosnell, 70, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, running a continuing enterprise, illegal distribution of prescription drugs and distribution of drugs within 1,000 feet of a school, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Thursday.
His clinic was initially raided in February 2010 on suspicion he was illegally selling thousands of prescriptions for Oxycodone, anti-anxiety medication and codeine-based cough syrup from 2008 through January 2010.
"You are talking about very serious, highly addictive, frequently abused sedatives and painkillers," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Natali said.
The raid uncovered stored, dismembered fetuses -- some of which were said to have been viable -- and evidence of late-term abortions.
Gosnell is scheduled to go on trial March 13 on state charges including murder for the death of a woman given too much anesthesia during an abortion. If found guilty of first-degree murder, he could face the death penalty, the Inquirer reported.
Gosnell's wife, Pearl, admitted in court this week she helped her husband perform illegal late-term abortions. Six former employees have entered guilty pleas and agreed to testify, the Inquirer reported.
