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DEA raids Newburyport home of former psychiatrist accused in sexual misconduct cases

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — On Thursday, Drug Enforcement Agency officials raided the Newburyport home of Dr. Keith Ablow, the embattled former celebrity psychiatrist caught in a series of sexual assault lawsuits.

Dr. Ablow’s medical license was revoked last year after he was accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual activity with several patients and illegally distributing prescriptions to employees.

In Feb. 2019, Ablow denied any and all accusations to Boston 25 News.

Several patients he had been seeing for depression claimed they received Ketamine infusions as part of their treatment. All of them say their doctor-patient relationships turned inappropriately sexual.

“It’s incredible you feel like you’re living in a bit of a psychological thriller, I’ve written some so I get it, I [just] didn’t think I’d be living one," Ablow said when the allegations first surfaced.

DEA agents told Boston 25 News they executed a court-authorized search warrant as part of an on-going investigation. Since authorities entered Dr. Ablow’s home in the morning, they have been more focused on searching his office, which is located inside the residence.

The raid is just the latest development in years of ongoing legal troubles for the former Fox News contributor who once hosted his own syndicated TV talk show.

Dr. Ablow’s troubles began to unravel after allegations of inappropriate sexual activity with patients surfaced and he was accused of illegally giving prescriptions to his employees. A civil malpractice suit was settled in June 2019, but his medical license remains suspended - although Ablow has since been trying to have it re-instated.

In one of the lawsuits, one woman claims Ablow told her things like, “I own you,” and “You are my slave”.

It’s still unclear what DEA agents are looking for specifically, but they were at Ablow’s residence for most of the day. A witness who watched federal authorities going into the home says he saw a lot of taped boxes, computer screens and flat boxes used to carry pictures and large frames, which were all sealed and taken away.

“I figured someone in there is not having a good day at all, it was quite a strong presence and it was multiple agencies," said Phil, who did not want to use his last name or show his face. “I did see computer screens and a couple of large flat boxes, like pictures of something sealed and put in the pickup.”

The city marshal confirms to Boston 25 News the DEA also raided a nearby pharmacy, potentially in connection to the investigation.

Boston 25 News has reached out to Ablow’s legal team for a statement but has not heard back.