Pediatrician arrested on drug charge

Scripps Health is investigating the arrest of one of its pediatricians, Dr. Bret Gerber, the health system confirmed Thursday.

“Dr. Gerber has been placed on administrative leave from his position with Scripps Coastal Medical Group while we investigate this matter further,” said Dr. Kevin Hirsch, president of the medical group, in a statement Thursday night.

Law enforcement officials arrested Gerber, 47, of San Diego on Aug. 24 after several drugs were discovered during a traffic stop, according to a statement released by the Mono County Sheriff’s Department.

The statement says officers found drugs, including psilocybin mushrooms, ecstasy and GHB, a nervous system depressant sometimes called the “date rape drug,” in a vehicle occupied by Gerber and Paul Neadow, 35, of Wilton Manors, Fla.

It was not clear who owned the vehicle and officials with the Sheriff’s Department did not respond Thursday to requests for more information.

Gerber did not respond to calls for comment.

The arrest came two days before the start of the annual Burning Man festival held about 200 miles northeast of Mono County in the Nevada desert. Gerber’s Facebook page, which is no longer visible to the public, included a reference to the festival, though his attendance was not confirmed.

A clerk at the Mono County District Attorney’s office, who did not identify herself, said that Gerber was not charged after the arrest. Mono County District Attorney Tim Kendall was not available to comment.