Nov. 11—A Lewis County social worker and an agency counselor were convicted in December of possession of meth with intent to possess drugs and unlawful use of a premises for drug purposes. He was accused of unprofessional conduct by the State Health Minister.

James Alan Ghere, 60, was arrested in 2021 for allegedly selling drugs and was released on bail after the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) executed a search warrant on Nov. 21, 2023, at his home in the 3100 block of Zenkner Valley Road. According to a previous news release from the Centralia Police Department.

Ghere was arrested on new drug-related charges along with Michael D. Deal, 41, who was arrested on felony-level controlled substance and firearms charges.

Ghere and Deal were two of eight suspects arrested as part of JNET’s investigation into a local criminal ring, according to the news release. In addition to drugs and firearms, the investigation also revealed evidence of the manufacture of bombs and the printing of counterfeit money.

Ghere was convicted on Dec. 27, 2023, of one count each of possession of meth with intent to deliver and unlawful use of a premises where he allegedly sold drugs for drug purposes in 2021, according to Washington state Department of Health records.

The State Minister of Health claimed on September 9, 2024 that these convictions amounted to unprofessional conduct.

Ghere’s credentials, both issued in 2019, have expired. Counselor credentials expired in January 2020 and social worker credentials expired in January 2023.

Ghere has the opportunity to respond to the charges before his credentials are revoked.

Legal documents for this case can be found online through the Facility Inspections and Investigations Search on the state Department of Health (DOH) website. Copies can be requested by calling 360-236-4700.

DOH encourages anyone who believes a healthcare facility has acted unprofessionally to call 360-236-2620 to report complaints. Complaints may also be submitted via email to [email protected].

DOH “protects and promotes the public health, safety, and welfare in Washington by regulating the adequacy and quality of health care providers and facilities,” the DOH said in a news release. “The agency establishes, monitors, and enforces qualifications for licensure, consistent standards of practice, ongoing qualification mechanisms, and discipline. Rules, policies, and procedures promote the delivery of quality health care to the people of Washington.”