ATHENS, Ga.,None — An Athens urologist is in the Clarke County jail on charges he drugged and raped a patient in his office more than a year ago.
Dr. Mark Adams surrendered to police just after 6 p.m. on Thursday. He waived his first court appearance early Friday morning.
Athens-Clarke County police told Channel 2's Richard Elliot that Adams has been under investigation since the victim made the accusations in July 2009. The Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Office is also investigating the case.
"She felt like she was drugged and the sexual assault happened in his office," said Athens-Clarke County police Cpt. Clarence Holeman.
During the yearlong investigation, Adams continued to see patients at his Baxter Street office in Athens.
A spokesman for the Georgia Composite State Medical Board said they were not aware of the investigation into or charges against Adams.
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Dr. Tom Kornegay said police departments are under no legal obligation to inform the board about investigations into doctors, but he still wishes the board had been notified. He said their investigators might have been able to assist in the investigation and the board might have taken some kind of action.
Holeman said no one else was informed because the allegations were just allegations at that point.
"We were still trying to get enough probable cause to get warrants on him," said Holeman.
Elliot spoke to one of Adams' patients who said he was supposed to have a procedure done with Adams at 4 p.m. before he surrendered.
University of Georgia senior Bernie Tokarz said the office informed him about 2 p.m. that the doctor had to cancel the operation. It was only later that he learned his urologist had been charged, he said.
"It's sad to think that that activity does happen," said Tokarz. "But it's a cold world."
The search warrants that may shed more light on the allegations remain sealed for the time being. Adams' attorney of record, Ed Tolley, did not return phone calls.
Meanwhile, Adams can't get bond until he goes before a superior court judge, and a clerk reported that hearing had not been scheduled yet.