Jackson doctor implicated in death of pregnant patient temporarily released due to phone call oversight

A Jackson doctor accused of prescribing opioids that resulted in a pregnant patient's death was temporarily released Thursday with no bond after he reported he was not given an opportunity to make a phone call to hire an attorney.

Thomas Kelly Ballard of the Ballard Clinic Family Practice faces multiple federal drug trafficking charges, including several that accuse him of using his power to prescribe opioids to convince female patients to perform sexual favors. Ballard is accused of prescribing 4.7 million pills during an estimated three-year period.

At his detention hearing Thursday, Ballard said he was not given an opportunity to make a phone call after he was detained Wednesday. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Jon A. York said because Ballard was unable to obtain counsel due to this oversight, York was inclined to release him despite "serious concerns" about his release.

Opioid crackdown:One Jackson doctor gave out more than 4 million pills, feds say

Ballard will appear in court for his rescheduled detention hearing Friday at 2 p.m., where the judge will determine if Ballard will remain detained or be granted bond for the duration of court proceedings against him.

Reach Cassandra Stephenson at ckstephens@jacksonsun.com or at (731) 694-7261. Follow Cassandra on Twitter at @CStephenson731.