Del Mar doctor sentenced for selling prescription drugs

A Del Mar osteopath who admitted selling prescription painkillers to addicts and drug dealers was sentenced today to nearly five years in federal prison.

William Joseph Watson, who pleaded guilty Aug. 26 to conspiracy to unlawfully dispense and distribute oxycodone, was given a 57-month term by U.S. District Judge M. James Lorenz.

Watson was arrested in June 2013 after he was caught on hidden camera selling the painkillers to an undercover agent and an informant. He was indicted on about 40 counts of oxycodone distribution. Authorities said Watson, who preached natural medical remedies on his website, wrote prescriptions for drug dealers and addicts for up to $500 per prescription.