A two-year investigation involving federal, state and local authorities led to the arrest Tuesday of a doctor in Putnam County who officials said illegally provided pain pill prescriptions in exchange for money or sex.

Authorities said they were tipped off to Dr. Ray Howell, who operates the Tri-County Family Medical Clinic in Roachdale, by pharmacists who were concerned about the amount of pain pills he prescribed.

Howell was charged with 12 felony counts of unlawful dispensation of a controlled substance and three felony counts of furnishing false or fraudulent information.

Howell was taken into custody at his home on Tuesday afternoon.