Boise Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to 48 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances

BOISE - Angela Kathryn Hughes, 50, of Boise, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.

According to court records, Hughes was a nurse practitioner in Boise, Idaho. Between January 2022 and March 2023, Hughes issued illegitimate prescriptions for oxycodone, oxycodone acetaminophen, and hydrocodone acetaminophen. In exchange for prescriptions, she received cash, a portion of the pills from the prescription, and other controlled substances such as methamphetamine. Hughes conspired with her co-defendant Sydney Neal, 39, of Boise, and others, to knowingly and intentionally distribute Schedule II controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. The unlawful prescriptions Hughes issued as part of the conspiracy totaled approximately 4,358 pills of oxycodone acetaminophen, 2,854 pills of oxycodone, and 2,625 pills of hydrocodone acetaminophen.

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Hughes to be placed on supervised release for three years following her release from prison.

Sydney Neal was previously sentenced to five years of probation for her role in the conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. According to court records, Neal received cash from selling controlled substances and provided the proceeds to Hughes. In exchange, Neal continued to receive and distribute controlled substances.

"Medical providers are supposed to take care of their patients and their community. The defendant in this case did the opposite, adding to the dangerous problem of prescription drug abuse," said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. "I am grateful for the team of prosecutors and investigators that found out what was happening and put a stop to it."

"Providers who recklessly distribute controlled substances undermine efforts to address the ongoing opioid crisis and betray their professional responsibility to serve the health and well-being of the American public," said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). "HHS-OIG will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to hold bad actors accountable and keep Idaho communities safe."

U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of the Boise Police Department, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darci Crane and Erin Blackadar prosecuted the case.

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