Rape charges leveled against Salard, extradition pursued

Former Wrangell physician Greg Salard was arraigned last week at Alaska First District Court in Juneau on the charge of being a fugitive from justice. On March 25 a warrant from the state of Louisiana was issued for Salard’s arrest relating to a count of aggravated rape that is alleged to have taken place the previous decade.

Salard was already incarcerated at the time, having been arrested at his Wrangell home last October for two felony charges regarding the possession and distribution of child pornography, following a five-month investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He has pled not guilty to both charges and is currently at Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau where he awaits a May 27 trial.

Judge Thomas Nave presided over Salard’s April 7 arraignment, where the former doctor was formally charged with being a fugitive from justice of the state of Louisiana. A bond has been set for $800,000 and further proceedings scheduled for May 5.

According to court documentation, Shreveport Police Department has confirmed Louisiana would pursue Salard’s extradition. The complaint stems from allegations raised in 2007, which suggested sexual abuse of a child by Salard while he was living in Shreveport, La., between 2004 and 2006.

A criminal investigation was pursued by the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division, but a request to include Salard on Arkansas’ Child Maltreatment Central Registry was rejected by a judge in Dec. 2009, citing insufficient evidence and inconsistencies in the testimony given.

By the time of that ruling, Salard had begun working as a physician specializing in family practice with Alaska Island Community Services, and had been chief of staff at Wrangell Medical Center since July 2013.

Salard’s privileges at the hospital were temporarily suspended for three weeks in 2011, following allegations of improper interaction with patients. Though reinstated, he was again denied privileges from March 2012 to Feb. 2013. Following his arrest, he is now no longer employed by either organization.

If convicted of both pornography charges Salard already faces a maximum penalty of up to 30 years imprisonment, as well as fines of up to $250,000. If convicted of the aggravated rape charge in Louisiana, he could face up to life imprisonment.