Brooke County nurse admits to illegal drug distribution

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wellsburg, West Virginia registered nurse has admitted to distributing drugs illegally, United States Attorney William J. Powell announced.

Sharon E. Jackson, age 46, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice.” Jackson admitted to conspiring with others to illegally distribute suboxone, subutex, and buprenorphine, controlled substances used to treat opioid addiction. Jackson admitted to committing the crime while operating at an opioid addiction treatment center, Advance Healthcare, Inc., in Weirton, West Virginia from 2007 until 2017.

Jackson faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $500,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah E. Wagner and Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. and are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration are investigating.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.