JOINT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO CHARGES IN SULLIVAN COUNTY DRUG CONSPIRACY CASE
JOINT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO CHARGES IN SULLIVAN COUNTY DRUG CONSPIRACY CASE
JOHNSON CITY – An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force has led to the indictment of three Kingsport residents accused in a multi-jurisdictional conspiracy to obtain and distribute prescription medications.
In June 2015, at the request of 2nd District Attorney General Barry Staubus, TBI Special Agents with the Drug Investigation Division along with Drug Task Force Agents began investigating allegations of prescription fraud involving an employee of a medical practice located in Kingsport. During the course of the investigation, Agents determined that between June 2015 and October 2015, Nicole D. Coombs used her position at the medical practice to call in fraudulent prescriptions. Further investigation revealed that Cedric Shepherd II and Jessica N. Castle supplied Coombs with the names and personal information of numerous individuals in order to obtain prescription medications from pharmacies in multiple jurisdictions.
On January 4th, the Sullivan County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Coombs, Shepherd and Castle for their roles in the conspiracy. Coombs, 31, is charged with one count of Conspiracy to Obtain a Controlled Substance by Fraud, thirty-seven counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, one count of Attempt to Obtain a Controlled Substance by Fraud and Possession of Alprazolam for Sale or Delivery. On Wednesday, Coombs turned herself in and was booked into the Sullivan County Jail on a $15,000 bond. Shepherd, 35, is charged with one count of Conspiracy to Obtain a Controlled Substance by Fraud, thirty-three counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, one count of Attempt to Obtain a Controlled Substance by Fraud and Possession of Alprazolam for Sale or Delivery. He was served in the Sullivan County Jail, where he was already being held on unrelated charges. Castle, 30, is charged with one count of Conspiracy to Obtain a Controlled Substance by Fraud and three counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud. She was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Sullivan County Jail on a $12,500 bond.
