HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa.—A former Altoona doctor accused of trading drugs and money for sex with patients has been sentenced to 24 months of home detention because of his ailing health.

Sixty-eigth-year-old Ralph Crawford was sentenced Friday in Blair County Court. He pleaded guilty to issuing false prescriptions, patronizing prostitutes, and hindering apprehension last year.

His attorney, Steven Passarello, says Crawford has congestive heart failure, cancer and other problems.

Prosecutors agreed to home detention, saying the county would be responsible for his medical care if he were jailed.

Authorities began investigating Crawford in 2004 when a woman told authorities Crawford gave her 50 to 60 prescriptions for pain pills and sexually assaulted her.

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Information from: Altoona Mirror, http://www.altoonamirror.com