MUSC psychiatrist arrested on drug charges

A prominent Lowcountry psychiatrist was arrested on prescription drug charges during a raid Tuesday at an adult entertainment club in North Charleston, authorities said. Two women were arrested on prostitution charges, and charges against a third woman were pending.

Dr. Alberto B. Santos Jr., 52, of Sullivan's Island, is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, theft of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a prescription drug. He was released from Charleston County jail on $6,000 bail set Wednesday by county Magistrate Alvin Bligen.

Santos is a professor of psychiatry at Medical University of South Carolina and director of psychiatry residence training at MUSC's College of Medicine. He practices clinically at the Dorchester Mental Health Clinic and the Charleston Mental Health Clinic.

MUSC has placed Santos on administrative leave without pay, pending the outcome of the charges, said Sarah King, MUSC's director of public relations.

The Charleston County Sheriff's Metro Vice Squad was conducting an undercover operation Tuesday at Silk Stockings by Amber, which advertises itself as an adult entertainment club, in an industrial park off Cross County Road. Three women approached undercover officers and offered sex in exchange for money, said sheriff's Maj. John Clark, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office.

The vice squad secured search warrants for the business and its parking lot. In Santos' vehicle, they reported finding 69 tablets of Alzopram, an anti-anxiety medication; 150 tablets of Seroquel, an anti-psychotic; and 100 tablets of Depakote, an anti-seizure medicine.

During the bond hearing, Santos denied he'd done anything wrong. "I've been employed at MUSC for 30 years," he said. "I had medications to go to the Summerville clinic and the West Ashley clinic. I had nothing that wasn't given to me."

Santos' estranged wife, Barbara Julius, said before the bond hearing that Santos has legitimate reasons to carry psychiatric medications in his car because he works in community mental health centers. "He's devoted himself to the community," she said.

The couple have been separated about four years, she said. They have a college-age son.

She also spoke on Santos' behalf during the bond hearing. "He's made a huge difference in our city as far as helping people out," she said.

Santos is credited with helping establish the Mobile Crisis Unit. He is co-author of a number of books on community-based mental health care, including, "Comprehensive Emergency Mental Health Care," "Assertive Community Treatment of Persons with Severe Mental Illness" and "Innovative Approaches for Difficult-to-Treat Populations." He also authored or co-authored more than 100 articles in medical journals.

The two women arrested were Ashley Renee Russell, 22, of Langley Drive in Summerville, and Elizabeth Nikol Griswold, 22, of Old Golf Road in North Charleston. Both were charged with solicitation for prostitution. They were released on $257 personal recognizance bonds set by Bligen.

Sheriff's deputies said charges against a third woman were pending. The investigation into the club was ongoing, Clark said.

Silk Stockings is closed on Wednesday. No one answered the phone listed for the business.