Louisiana prosecutors want Wrangell doctor

Dr. Greg Salard served as chief of staff at the Wrangell Medical Center. He's been charged with distribution and possession of child pornography. (Photo from the Alaska Island Community Services website.)
Dr. Greg Salard served as chief of staff at the Wrangell Medical Center. He’s been charged with distribution and possession of child pornography. (Photo from the Alaska Island Community Services website)

A former Wrangell doctor awaiting trial on child pornography charges is also wanted in Louisiana to face sexual assault charges.

Greg Salard appeared in court in Juneau on Tuesday on a felony charge as a fugitive from justice.

District Court Judge Thomas Nave told Salard he faced a maximum of 5 years in prison and a $50,000 fine if convicted.

State prosecutors said they didn’t know much about the original or underlying charge, but Assistant District Attorney Nick Polasky indicated that Caddo Parish issued a warrant for Salard on March 25 to face an aggravated rape charge. Salard was served with notice of his charge as a fugitive from justice on Monday while he was being held at Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau.

As part of their notification to Alaska prosecutors, Louisiana officials indicated the alleged violations occurred between January 2004 and July 2005. No other information about the charges was immediately available.

Judge Nave set bail at $800,000, or the same amount that was indicated in the Louisiana warrant.

Salard has another appearance in state court scheduled for May 5. He could agree to be extradited, or Polasky said Salard could challenge the potential extradition. Salard could file for a writ of habeas corpus, which would require Louisiana officials to prove they have the properly identified defendant and issue a governor’s warrant for extradition.

Salard is also awaiting trial scheduled to start May 27 in federal court on child pornography and distribution charges.

Salard was one of four medical providers in Wrangell. He was employed as a family doctor by Alaska Island Community Services and served under contract with Wrangell Medical Center, the community’s hospital. Both organizations suspended Salard’s medical privileges after he was arrested at his home.

After his arrest in October 2014, Salard surrendered his Alaska medical license and lost his job at AICS.

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