Woman Charged With Trafficking Prescription Pills Obtained From Convicted Doctor
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of McKees Rocks, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The six-count indictment, returned on May 22, and unsealed today, named Carol Combs, 54, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, Combs distributed oxycodone unlawfully on five occasions, and conspired to distribute oxycodone and oxymorphone between August 24, 2010 and January 20, 2012.
"Carol Combs is charged with selling large amounts of oxymorphone and oxycodone that she fraudulently obtained from Dr. Herndon," said U.S. Attorney Hickton. "She led a large organization that preyed upon people with addiction and profited from the sale of these prescription drugs."
The law provides for a maximum total sentence at each count of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
