Geoffrey Peterson was charged with animal cruelty on December 19, after Sequatchie County law enforcement found more than 60 animals living in filthy conditions in his home. Geoffrey Deane Peterson, the man accused of abusing his elderly father, hoarding more than 60 animals in squalid conditions and using his license as a nurse practitioner to prescribe copious amounts of narcotics, turned himself in to the Sequatchie County Sheriff's office around 2 p.m. this afternoon, Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock said.
The case stems from Peterson's arrest Dec. 19 on four counts of aggravated animal cruelty, one count of animal cruelty and felony possession of morphine after authorities raided his feces-filled home on Austin Road in Dunlap.
Peterson, a licensed advanced practice nurse in Tennessee, ran a couple of medical practices in Hamilton County that were raided in January by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Authorities also searched a Hixson home connected to Peterson where they found the man's 88-year-old father, Walter, in poor condition, according to an emergency order of summary suspension from the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Stay with the Times Free Press for updates on this developing story.
Timeline
Dec. 20: An officer with McKamey Animal Services found three emaciated dogs in the exam rooms at Holistic Health and Primary Care, where Peterson saw patients. Dec. 23: McKamey officers removed seven more emaciated dogs from a home in Chattanooga that had been linked to Peterson. Jan. 12, 2015: The Tennessee Department of Health sent an investigator to Peterson's hormone replacement clinic after receiving a complaint on Peterson's license. But Peterson locked the doors of the clinic and refused to let the investigator inside. On the same day, the investigator tried to speak to Peterson's father, Walter Peterson, at a home in Hixson. Before the investigator left his car, Geoffery Peterson arrived, banged on the car and demanded the investigator leave. Jan. 15: Chattanooga police officers attempted to check on Walter Peterson but Geoffery Peterson refused to let the officers into the home. Jan. 12 - Jan. 23: Adult Protective Services attempted to check on Walter Peterson on three different occasions during this time frame. Jan. 23: DEA agents raid Peterson's two clinics and a home connected to him. Former patients say Peterson ran a pill mill. Jan. 23: Multiple agencies execute a warrant to search Walter Peterson's home. His is found in poor condition and is taken to a hospital. Peterson's wife, 88-year-old Sheila Peterson, is arrested and charged with willful abuse or neglect of an elder. A warrant is issued for Peterson on the same charge. Jan. 27: The Tennessee Board of Nursing suspends Geoffery Peterson's nursing license in an emergency order. Feb. 20: Peterson is a wanted man after he fails to show up for any court appearances. March 2: Peterson turns himself in to the Sequatchie County Sheriff's Office Source: Times Free Press archives
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