The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Orlando Regional Operations Center, working in conjunction with the Melbourne Police Department, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and the Winter Park Police Department, today arrested Dr. John Gayden, 58, of Indialantic, Fla. for one count of unlawful sex with a minor, and one count of delivery of a controlled substance to a minor. Both charges are felonies.
The arrest stems from an investigation that began in May 2011 when authorities received information that revealed Gayden was one of the top prescribers of prescription pain medication in Brevard County, prescribing more than 250,000 oxycodone pills during an eight-month period. The patients received little or no medical evaluation. The investigation further revealed that Gayden was engaging in sexual activity with a juvenile and had provided her with prescription drugs.
The Florida Department of Health today also issued an emergency suspension order immediately suspending Dr. Gayden from practicing medicine.
Gayden was arrested at his office at 1520 N. A1A, Indialantic, Fla., and booked into the Brevard County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.