DEA Chicago Chief Targets Doctors Charged with Violent Crimes

The agency is cracking down on medical professionals accused of serious violations, even when prescriptions aren't involved.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The new special agent in charge of the DEA's Chicago Field Division says the agency is focusing on doctors charged or convicted of violent crimes, not just prescription drug abuse cases. In recent months, the DEA has asked two Illinois doctors accused of sexual assault and murder to voluntarily surrender their ability to prescribe medications, even though the alleged crimes were unrelated to their medical work.

Why it matters

This crackdown by the DEA highlights concerns about public safety when medical professionals face serious criminal charges, and the agency's willingness to act quickly to restrict their prescribing authority, even in cases not directly tied to their medical practices.

The details

In December, Trevor Roston, a hospitalist in Elgin, was charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl with intellectual disabilities. Last month, Michael McKee, a surgeon in Rockford, was extradited to Ohio, where he is accused of murdering his ex-wife and her husband. In both cases, the DEA asked the doctors to surrender their ability to prescribe medications in Illinois, even though the alleged crimes did not involve prescription drug abuse.

  • In December, Trevor Roston was charged.
  • Last month, Michael McKee was extradited to Ohio.

The players

Todd Smith

The new special agent in charge of the DEA's Chicago Field Division.

Trevor Roston

A hospitalist in Elgin who was charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl with intellectual disabilities.

Michael McKee

A surgeon in Rockford who was extradited to Ohio and is accused of murdering his ex-wife and her husband.

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What they’re saying

“In both instances, the doctors were alleged and charged in the state to have conducted violent crime, and we want to protect the community, so we moved quickly to obtain voluntary surrenders for cause, so those doctors could not prescribe medicine in the state of Illinois.”

— Todd Smith, DEA Chicago Special Agent in Charge

“This is fairly rare, you know. Obviously, you don't see doctors charged with crimes very frequently, but when they are charged with crime through the state or the federal government, DEA will look to have those DEA registrations voluntarily surrendered.”

— Todd Smith, DEA Chicago Special Agent in Charge

What’s next

The judge in the cases will decide whether to allow the doctors to retain their ability to prescribe medications while the criminal charges are pending.

The takeaway

This crackdown by the DEA underscores the agency's commitment to public safety, even when medical professionals are accused of crimes unrelated to their practices. It raises questions about balancing individual rights with community protection when doctors face serious criminal allegations.