PORTLAND — A former podiatrist was indicted on federal drug and health care fraud charges Thursday in U.S. District Court.

John B. Perry, 50, of Bridgton faces one charge of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, one charge of health care fraud and 43 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

Until December 2010, Perry was a podiatrist working at Atlantic Foot and Ankle in Portland. According to the indictment, from 2009 to November 2010, Perry wrote prescriptions with no medical purpose and traded prescriptions for cash and cocaine.

According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Perry was charged with fabricating patient charts to cover his illegal prescriptions.

Perry was arrested on a cocaine possession charge on Nov. 17, 2010, by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency near his former Cumberland home. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. Police searched his home, vehicle and office after the arrest.

According to the Department of Justice, the conspiracy and drug charges carry a sentence of up to 20 years and up to $1 million in fines. The health care fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the FBI, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Maine Health Care Crimes Unit were involved in the investigation.

Perry’s arraignment is set for Friday.

treaves@sunjournal.com