LEXINGTON, Ky. (WMDJ) — A former Paintsville doctor has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty in a federal drug case.

Don Bryson received a sentence of one year and one day after admitting to conspiracy to distribute Schedule II controlled substances. He entered the guilty plea in June 2024.

Investigators say Bryson had surrendered his medical license but later worked as a medical consultant at Appalachian Family Medicine, a clinic owned by his son. While doctors were brought in to treat patients, Bryson and his son maintained control of operations.

According to court records, the clinic limited safeguards such as urine testing and pill counts and discouraged doctors from lowering patient dosages. In one instance, a doctor without proper authorization used another doctor’s DEA registration number to write prescriptions.

Over four days, that doctor issued 79 prescriptions totaling more than 6,900 pills before the situation was discovered.

Bryson agreed to forfeit more than $124,000, along with the clinic building and a vehicle tied to the operation. He is scheduled to report to prison on July 14.

His son, Jeremy Bryson, was also convicted in the case and is set to be sentenced June 2.