Doctor OKs plea deal in drugs-for-sex case

AMERICAN FORK — A doctor arrested for trading prescription drugs for sexual favors pleaded guilty to four charges Tuesday.

Max Cannon, 49, agreed to accept a plea deal and pleaded guilty to two third-degree felonies of distribution of a controlled substance and two class B misdemeanors of prostitution — in exchange that eight other identical misdemeanor and felony charges be dismissed.

The agreement comes after months of negotiation, but not because Cannon was trying to evade responsibility, said his attorney, Earl Xaiz.

"It was basically the attorneys trying to resolve (the case) rather than him saying, 'I didn't do that,"' Xaiz said. "He's admitted that he did what he was accused of."

Cannon, a former general physician, was arrested in a sting operation at a hotel in January after a woman reported to police that her physician had offered her Lortab pills in exchange for sexual acts, according to court documents.

As police investigated, they learned of other women who said they had seen Cannon first as a doctor, but after procedures, he would offer extra Percocet or Lortab pills in exchange for a sexual rendezvous.

Cannon admitted to having sexual relationships with several women but disagreed that he had any contact with the woman who made the first allegations while she was in jail, Xaiz said.

Prosecutor Alex Ludlow agreed to drop charges except for those related to two women — one charge each of distribution and prostitution.

"He's satisfied (this) is a fair resolution," Xaiz said.

Cannon, as an independent general physician, had privileges to work at Mountain View Hospital in Payson and Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, but those were suspended when the charges were filed.

Cannon's license to practice medicine and prescribe medicine expired in Feb. 1, 2008, three days before charges were filed, but after Cannon was arrested.

The Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing held an emergency hearing Feb. 6 and denied Cannon any chance to renew his license, said Jennifer Bolton, division spokeswoman.

Cannon will be sentenced on Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. after getting a pre-sentence review by Adult Probation and Parole.

Ludlow said they have agreed to probation, which means that Cannon will not go to prison; however, it's likely they will ask for jail time, he said.

---

E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com