West Virginia nurse admits to illegally distributing drugs

WHEELING, W.Va. – A registered nurse has admitted to illegally distributing drugs used to treat opioid addiction through her job at a clinic in West Virginia’s northern panhandle from 2008 through 2016.

Sharon E. Jackson of Wellsburg pleaded guilty Monday to one conspiracy charge in federal court, agreeing to co-operate with prosecutors and forfeit $253,000 described in court papers as her proceeds from the drug offence at an addiction treatment centre, Advance Healthcare Inc., in Weirton.

The 46-year-old Jackson could face up to 10 years in prison at sentencing.

The criminal complaint filed in November says Jackson, who incorporated the business, called in prescriptions using doctors’ authorization for Suboxone, Subutex, and buprenorphine for patients who paid cash and seldom if ever saw the two doctors who each worked there one evening a week.