Location: 4800 block of Angeles Vista, Los Angeles

Incident Date: 04/26/16

Incident Time: 0904 hours

City: Los Angeles

Posted by: Media Relations

On 4-26-16, the Tulare County Sheriff’s County Apprehension Team Tracking Criminals in Hiding (CATTCH) developed information that a subject with two felony warrants, Dr. Howard Ragland, was currently in the area of Los Angeles. The CATTCH detectives coordinated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Fugitive Task Force. Detectives were able to locate and arrest Ragland on the warrants without issue.  He was booked into the Los Angeles county jail pending transport back to Tulare County.

Charges include: Conspiracy, failure to comply with a subpoena and practicing without a license/accepting money on referral. 

Dr. Howard Ragland is an Obstetrician-Gynecologist in Los Angeles.  He was also a prolific issuer of medical marijuana recommendations.  He had offices in Visalia, Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, as well as other locations.

It came to the attention of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office that Dr. Ragland was issuing these recommendations in an unscrupulous and illegal manner.  The Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel (STEP) team began an investigation which culminated in the issuance of the felony arrest warrants in Tulare County with a total bail of $75,000.  

This is the first prosecution of a doctor related to the issuance of medical marijuana recommendations in Tulare County.
    

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.