Convicted Brigham City pill doctor reports to prison

SALT LAKE CITY — A convicted Brigham City pill doctor was to begin serving his prison sentence Monday.

Dewey C. MacKay was scheduled to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons at noon.

A jury last August found the 64-year-old doctor guilty of 37 counts of illegally dispensing painkillers, including two that resulted in the death of 55-year-old David Wirick; and three counts of using a communication device in a drug trafficking offense. He was acquitted of 44 other counts.

U.S. District Judge Dee Benson sentenced MacKay to 20 years in prison last December.

MacKay's attorneys tried for several months to keep him out of prison while they appealed his conviction. In February, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals was "unable to conclude that MacKay has presented a substantial question for appeal" to justify his ongoing release.

— Dennis Romboy

Twitter: dennisromboy