U.S. Attorney’s Office Seeks Potential Victims in Case Against Columbia, Missouri Doctor

ST. LOUIS - In April of 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Missouri announced that a federal grand jury charged physician Jonathan Wayne Morris with health care fraud and illegal prescribing crimes related to his clinic, located at 619-621 N. Providence Road, Columbia, Missouri 65203.

The indictment alleges that from at least August 6, 2021, to at least April 8, 2025, Morris engaged in a pattern of issuing and causing to be issued controlled substance prescriptions outside of the usual course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose, including by giving controlled substance prescriptions to individuals that, as Morris knew, had substance use disorders and individuals with whom he had sexual relations. The indictment also alleges that from at least May 1, 2019, to at least April 8, 2025, Morris defrauded Medicare and Missouri Medicaid by billing them for services that falsely represented Morris as the rendering provider when, in fact, those services were rendered not by Morris, but by assistant physicians, medical school graduates who have not entered a residency program and therefore require training and supervision by a fully licensed physician.

The indictment alleges that, during the same timeframe, Morris caused the submission of false and fraudulent claims for reimbursement to the Medicare and Missouri Medicaid for controlled substance prescriptions that were not eligible for reimbursement, in that such prescriptions were issued other than in the course and scope of professional practice and in violation of federal law.

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

On May 27, 2026, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen R. Welby issued an order directing the government to employ alternative victim notification procedures so that any member of the community who believes they may be a crime victim is made aware of their potential rights.

The government is asking members of the community who believe they may be a victim of illegal prescribing of controlled substances or fraudulent billing practices by Dr. Morris to contact the Victim-Witness Unit at [email protected].

Former patients of Morris or their families may still be facing the aftermath of illegal prescribing of controlled substances or fraudulent billing practices. The victim-witness program provides information, services and support to individuals during federal prosecutions.

Case updates will be provided on the U.S. Attorney's Office website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr.

Please also be aware of these free, confidential resources that may be of assistance:

• Always call 911 if it's a life-threatening emergency.
• To find supportive services, dial 2-1-1 to call United Way. Operational hours are 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. If you call after hours, please leave a message. Phone calls will be returned the next business day. 2-1-1 provides information and referral service that connect people to vital community, health and social services provided by a range of nonprofit, government and tribal agencies.
• SAMHSA has a national helpline to assist with finding behavioral health support or substance use management at 800-662-HELP (4357), TTY: 800-487-4889, or online at findtreatment.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.. Calls are manned 24/7 and are routed to the DHSS Division of Behavioral Health during DHSS operational hours.
• Help is available 24/7 through Missouri's Crisis Hotline (https://dmh.mo.gov/behavioral-health/treatment-services/specialized-programs/crisis-servicesLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.), 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you or someone you know is in a mental health, suicide or substance use crisis; reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or the 988 Lifeline Chat.