Search Warrants Call Michael Jackson a Drug Addict

July 31, 2009— -- To his fans, Michael Jackson was the King of Pop. To his children, he was daddy.

But to investigators looking into how Jackson died and who contributed to his death, the pop icon was an addict.

That word was used in the search warrants for the eight-hour raid on Dr. Conrad Murray's Las Vegas home and office.

Language found in the documents, obtained by ABC News, indicates authorities intend to pursue multiple criminal charges, including prescribing excessive narcotics to an addict and unprofessional conduct. Both are misdemeanors that carry potential prison sentences and fines.

"It will cause Dr. Murray a lot of problems," defense attorney Bryan Altman said of the possible charges Murray could face. "At a minimum, I cannot see how he would escape issues before the licensing authorities of his state just for this alone."

Search warrants for a raid last week on Murray's Houston office indicates authorities are also looking for evidence to back up a possible manslaughter charge. In addition, Murray has come under fire after his lawyer made comments that the doctor waited 30 minutes to call 911 after he found Jackson unresponsive and that he performed CPR while Jackson was on a bed, against standard protocol.

ABC News has confirmed that the coroner's report may be delayed longer than previously thought as his investigation into what killed Jackson expands even further. Coroner Ed Winter told ABC News that he served Dr. Lawrence Koplin, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, with a subpoena Thursday, but would not say what other doctors he may be looking at.

Jackson was reportedly addicted to painkillers, including Oxycontin and Demerol. But it was his use of propofol, a powerful anesthetic typically found in hospital operating rooms, that's gotten the most attention from authorities. It was listed as a contributing factor in Jackson's death in a preliminary autopsy report.

Propofol, also known by the trade name Diprivan, is not meant for use outside the hospital. Patients who are given the drug in a hospital setting typically receive oxygen and their vital signs are monitored to prevent respiratory arrest.

Investigators have removed evidence from Jackson's rented Los Angeles home that would indicate he had been using propofol to sleep at night, including vials of the drug, IVs and oxygen tanks. Investigaors want to know if Murray administered the drug to Jackson in the hours before he died.