Former Drug Agent Faces Charges

By The Associated Press

OXFORD – Former Lafayette County narcotics chief Searn Lynch pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal charges he doctor-shopped for painkillers and carried a gun while addicted to them.

Lynch, 38, of Oxford, was set for trial Jan. 28 in Oxford before Senior U.S. District Judge Neal B. Biggers.

He entered his not-guilty plea before Magistrate S. Allen Alexander.

Lynch remains free on bond.

He was arrested Nov. 19 and accused of illegally obtaining 831 doses of painkillers from 17 different health care providers from January 2007 through Nov. 16. 2012.