AMarch 29 1952
The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Saturday, March 29, 1952
Newport Physician Arrested In Narcotics Ring Operation
Dr. Palmer G. Keeney, left, is seen with Detective Jack Thiem of Newport after his arrest last night on four warrants charging him with violation of Kentucky narcotics laws. He was jailed under $8,500 bond.
Dr. Palmer G. Keeney, 75, 213 E. Seventh St., Newport, widely known physician, was arrested last night by Newport police who linked him with the operation of a narcotics ring uncovered recently in Northern Kentucky.
At least three other physicians were said by police to be involved. Several addicts who have received narcotics are known to police. Some now are taking treatment at the Federal Narcotics Farm, Lexington, Ky.
After his arrest last night, Dr. Keeney said, “I am innocent of doing any intentional wrong.” He declined further comment.
Dr. Keeney is a staff member of Speers hospital, Dayton, and served many years as City Physician of Bellevue. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Campbell County Coroner several years ago.
Dr. Keeney's arrest is the first of local Physician by Jack Thiem, Newport detective, and Federal Narcotic Agents who have been investigating activities of several physicians in the Northern Kentucky area.
Detective Thiem, in four warrants against Dr. Keeney yesterday, charged him with prescribing administering and dispensing narcotic drugs to four Newport residents. His bond was set at $8,500.
Detective Thiem, who has been on special narcotics assignment, said the drug users had purchased the narcotics with authentic prescription blanks.
Several doctors and druggists have been lax in handling narcotics prescriptions, Detective Thiem said.
Claude Smith, 64, Cincinnati, was Cincinnati, was arrested recently by Detective Thiem and Roy D. Anderson, former Cincinnati narcotics agent, at the Frontier Hotel, Sixth and Monmouth Sts., Newport, and charged with unlawfully possessing and selling narcotics.
He was arrested, police said, when he visited the Newport place to deliver drugs to Betty Lofton, 32, who resides on the second floor of the hotel. A bottle containing 81 cartridges of morphine was found in his possession. Detective Thiem said the drugs supplied by Smith to Miss Lofton cost her $25 a day.
March 31 1952
Doctor Surrenders Narcotics License 31 Mar 1952, Mon The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
Doctor Surrenders Narcotics License
A 72-year-old Dayton physician who has been practicing in northern Kentucky for 35 years has voluntarily agreed to surrender his narcotics dispensing licenses. He said he did so to demonstrate good faith and his desire to cooperate fully with the current drive on lax narcotics prescribing.
Dr. L. M. Spitzlberger, of 502 Clay street, Dayton, former city physician has been under investigation with several other northern Kentucky physicians for narcotics violation according to John W. Stansfield, Cincinnati narcotics agent.
“I did not willfully violate the law. I issued prescriptions to patients who were in extreme pain and unable to obtain relief from modern drugs,” Dr. Spitzlberger said.
A hearing has been set for Friday in Newport Police Court for Dr. Palmer G. Keeney, 75, of 213 E. Seventh street, Newport, who is charged in four warrants with violation of the Kentucky narcotics laws. He is free under $3500 bond.
May 13 1952
Dr. Keeney Warrants Ordered Dismissed 13 May 1952, Tue The Kentucky Post and Times-Star (Covington, Kentucky) Newspapers.com
Dr. Keeney Warrants Ordered Dismissed
Four warrants charging Dr. Palmer G. Keeney, 75, physician of 127 E. Seventh street, Newport with violation of the State Narcotics Act were dismissed Tuesday by Acting Newport Police Judge Joseph Rolf.
Dr. Keeney was arrested recently by Newport Detective Jack Thiem.
Last week the case was not submitted to the grand jury for investigation because Commonwealth Atty William J. Wise said he doubted the sufficiency of the evidence.
Detective Thiem who had conferred with Mr. Wise said he then would turn the evidence over to federal narcotic authorities for investigation.
Daniel W. Davies, attorney for Dr. Keeney said the charges referred to prescriptions issued patients. The prescriptions contained some narcotics.
May 14 1952
Charges of Violating Narcotics Act Are Dismissed Against Doctor In Newport Police Court 14 May 1952, Wed The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
Charges of Violating Narcotics Act Are Dismissed Against Doctor in Newport Police Court
Dr. Palmer G. Keeney, 75, 127 E. Seventh St., Newport, arrested several weeks ago on charges of violating the State Narcotics Act, was dismissed when arraigned yesterday before Acting Judge Joseph Rolf in Newport Police Court.
Dr. Keeney was arrested by Detective Jack Thiem, who accused the physician of issuing prescriptions for narcotics to known addicts. Daniel W. Davies, attorney for Dr. Kenney told Judge Rolf that the prescriptions were for a medicine that continued some narcotics.
William J. Wise, Commonwealth Attorney, said he did not submit the case to the Campbell County Grand Jury which filed its report last week, because of insufficiency of evidence. At that time, Mr. Wise suggested that Detective Thiem confer with Federal authorities regarding the case.
May 20 1952
Dr. Keeney In U.S. Court; Faces Narcotics Charges 20 May 1952, Tue The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
Dr. Keeney In U. S. Court; Faces Narcotics Charges
Dr. Palmer G. Keeney, 73, 123 E. Seventh St., Newport, widely known Campbell County physician, was arraigned yesterday before William Seidenfaden, U. S. District Commissioner at Newport, on charges of violating the Federal Narcotics Act.
He was released under $1,000 bond pending hearing June 6.
Dr. Keeney had been arraigned previously Newport Police Court, but the case was dismissed. Detective Jack Thiem made the arrest.
He was taken before the U. S. Commissioner by Roy Anderson, Federal Narcotic Agent of the Cincinnati Office.
July 19 1952
Charge Naming Doctor At Newport Dismissed 19 Jul 1952, Sat The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Newspapers.com
Charge Naming Doctor At Newport Dismissed
Newport, Ky., July 18 (AP)—The United States commissioner here today dismissed a Federal charge against Dr. P. G. Keeney, Newport physician, of illegally issuing prescriptions for narcotics. Commissioner William Seidenfaden cited insufficient evidence. Dr. Keeney was arrested several months ago by Newport Detective Jack Thiem.
