Quick Links
- A-Z Index
- Physician Survey Data
- Role of the Medical Board of California
- Members and Executive Staff
- Committees and Task Forces
- Board and Committee Meetings
- Media Room
- Job Opportunities
- Complaints/Comments About the Board
- Important Phone and Fax Numbers
- District and Probation Office Locations
- Link to Groupwise Web Access
News Release — May 12, 2004
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
May 12, 2004
Medical Board Obtains Suspension
of City of Calexico Physician's License
SACRAMENTO— In response to a Petition filed by Deputy Attorney General Thomas S. Lazar on behalf of the Medical Board of California, Administrative Law Judge Steven V. Adler issued a full interim suspension order (ISO) on May 7, 2004 against the medical license of Warren C. Lemons, M.D., City of Calexico, California. The suspension order is based upon a finding that, among other things, permitting Lemons to continue to engage in the practice of medicine will endanger the public health, safety, and welfare. The order was immediately effective and bars him from practicing medicine while in effect.
The Petition alleges that on April 14, 2004, Lemons was arrested on suspicion of murder and that the alleged murder victim was a patient of Lemons' with whom he had a sexual relationship. The Petition further alleges that on April 14, 2004, after responding to a suspicious call regarding a 22-year-old male who was in respiratory arrest, the Calexico Fire Department contacted the Calexico Police Department and requested a police officer. Lemons allegedly told a paramedic that the victim would let Lemons practice medical procedures on him and that, on that day, they were practicing medical respiratory intubations. When asked by a police officer why the paramedics took the victim to the hospital if he was a doctor, Lemons allegedly responded, "probably because I gave too much medicine." One of the paramedics reportedly found Versed and Diprivan anesthetics around the victim. The victim was pronounced dead later that same evening.
The Petition further alleges that on April 15, 2004, a search warrant was executed on Lemons' hotel room at the Best Western John Jay Inn Motel and on his vehicle. Some of the items seized during that search included Androgel (testosterone), a bottle of Ethyl Chloride, an ammonia capsule, syringes, several ET (endotracheao) tubes, a laryngoscope, prescriptions that appear to have been written for the victim by Lemons for drugs such as Morphine Sulfate, Adderall, Dilaudid, Tylenol #3, and syringes and needles. Several videotapes were also seized during the search which contain recordings allegedly made by Lemons of encounters with numerous naked male patients. The recordings of these encounters appear to have been made in different examination rooms in a medical facility. One of the seized videotapes also allegedly includes a recording of Lemons massaging the victim while he appeared to be unconscious and strapped on a board.
Lemons is accused of violating Business and Professions Code sections 726, 2234(b), and 2234 in that he has allegedly committed acts of sexual abuse and misconduct, gross negligence, and unprofessional conduct. A hearing is set for May 21, 2004 at the Office of Administrative Hearings in San Diego to determine if the ISO will remain in effect pending the completion of administrative disciplinary proceedings.
********
The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.
If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the Board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.caldocinfo.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.
###
