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CENTRAL ISLIP, Suffolk County (WABC) -- A well-known Suffolk County
doctor and legislator has been arrested for allegedly attempting to
exchange oxycodone for sex with a woman he believed was a
prostitute.

Dr. William Spencer, 53, of Centerport, was taken into custody in a
parking lot Tuesday afternoon and is charged with third-degree
criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree
criminal sale of a controlled substance.

"The message here is that the Suffolk County District Attorney's
Office will continue to work in partnership with all of the law
enforcement agencies operating here on Long Island, including the
DEA and members of the Long Island Heroin Task Force, to hold
criminals accountable no matter who they are or what their walk of
life is," District Attorney Tim Sini said. "This investigation is
very much ongoing, and justice will be served in this case."

Pursuant to an investigation by the Suffolk County District
Attorney's Office and the DEA Long Island Heroin Task Force, Dr.
Spencer was contacted by an undercover police officer posing as a
prostitute on October 20.

Dr. Spencer allegedly agreed via text message to unlawfully provide
the undercover police officer with oxycodone pills.

Authorities say he was arrested at the arranged meeting location in
his county-issued vehicle and was found in possession of two
oxycodone pills.

"The allegations being made against Legislator William Spencer are
extremely serious," Suffolk Legislature Presiding Officer Rob
Calarco said in a statement. "We have very little information, and
at this time, I will not be making any further statement. Our
thoughts are with his wife and children during this difficult time."

If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of up to
nine years in prison.

"Spencer is a stellar legislator who has had the right approach on
serious issues," Suffolk Democratic Committee Chairman Rich Schaffer
said. "I've always known him, and I think everybody in the community
knows him, to be a very upstanding medical doctor, minister,
legislator and person."

Spencer has served as a Suffolk County legislator since January 2012
and represents Suffolk County's 18 Legislative District. He is also
a physician who currently serves in Huntington Hospital and has his
own private medical practice on East Carver Street in Huntington.

Officials said Wednesday that Dr. Spencer's privileges at Huntington
Hospital have been temporarily suspended pending the investigation,
and he no longer serves as the Chief of Otolaryngology.

"An astounding betrayal of trust," Suffolk County GOP Chair Jesse
Garcia said. "This alleged act was an attempt to abuse his position
of power and trust, prey on women and take advantage of those he
believed were prisoners of addiction. I hope Dr. Spencer receives
the help he needs. Our prayers are with his family during this
difficult time."

He was released on his own recognizance.

https://abc7ny.com/dr-william-spencer-doc-huntington-suffolk- county-doctor-arrests/7208431/

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