ROGERS — A cardiologist who was suspended from his job at Mercy Hospital is back at work after marijuana-related charges against him were dropped, a spokesman said.
Robert Joseph Stuppy and his wife, Becky Kay Stuppy, were arrested in September in connection with possession of a controlled substance, manufacture of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon and stealing.
McDonald County, Mo., deputies and special response team members installed cameras on a marijuana growing operation outside Pineville after investigating a tip in August. Team members went to gather the cameras Sept. 21 and discovered two missing. They retrieved the third camera.
Video showed two people, identified as Robert and Becky Stuppy, taking the two cameras and marijuana plants, according to a news release. Detectives searched a home at 590 Hard Drive in rural McDonald County and found the marijuana, a .357 Magnum handgun and 10 rifles in a locked safe room hidden by a bookshelf.
Robert Stuppy was charged with all four felonies, but the charges were dismissed, according to the McDonald County prosecutor's office. Court records show Becky Kay Stuppy pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years probation.
"Dr. Robert Stuppy resumed seeing patients at Mercy Clinic Cardiology on Jan. 21. Because Dr. Stuppy's employment is a personnel matter, Mercy is unable to provide further information," spokeswoman Jennifer Cook said in an email.
The Arkansas State Medical Board didn't take disciplinary action against Stuppy, said Kevin O'Dwyer, attorney for the medical board.
Doctors can lose their licenses over legal trouble, O'Dwyer said. The medical board reviews any criminal activity. If a doctor is convicted of a felony, or in some cases, a misdemeanor, the board will have a hearing on the matter and then vote whether the doctor violated the state's Medical Practices Act. If the board determines there was a violation, it will then decide what action to take, which can include fines, a suspended license, mandatory classes or a revoked license.
Metro on 02/11/2019