McKees Rocks Woman Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison For Dealing Prescription Drugs

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A McKees Rocks woman was sentenced to imprisonment today on a charge of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone sentenced Carol Combs, 55, to 30 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release, on her conviction for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Combs conspired to distribute oxycodone and oxymorphone between Aug. 24, 2010 and Jan. 20, 2012. Combs purchased oxycodone tablets from runners who filled fraudulent prescriptions, and she also obtained oxycodone prescriptions from Dr. Oliver Herndon, who was sentenced last year to 135 months imprisonment for violating the federal narcotics laws.

In imposing sentence, Judge Cercone stated, "Prescription drugs are ruining more lives than crack cocaine today."

Assistant United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Combs.