Eastern Kentucky Doctor and Nurse Sentenced for Conspiracy to Illicitly Prescribe Controlled Substances

LONDON, Ky. – A Kentucky physician, Crystal Compton, D.O., 43, and a nurse, Kayla Lambert, 36, were sentenced on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, to 100 months and 60 months in prison, respectively, for conspiracy to illegally prescribe controlled substances and related offenses.           

During the conspiracy, Compton was a licensed physician who practiced in several medical clinics in the Pikeville area.  Lambert was a nurse who also worked at these medical clinics.  According to evidence presented at trial, Compton and Lambert conspired to unlawfully distribute controlled substances using prescriptions that were not written for a legitimate medical purpose, within the usual course of professional practice.  Compton and Lambert issued prescriptions for significant quantities and dosages of opioid painkillers, including oxycodone, methadone, and hydrocodone, sometimes in combination with other controlled substances, such as alprazolam and clonazepam.  For example, one individual received prescriptions for 720 methadone 10mg and 180 alprazolam 2mg pills in a single month.  Another received prescriptions for 480 methadone 10mg and 300 oxycodone 10mg pills in a single month.  Compton also provided multiple prescriptions to Lambert, for 180 oxycodone 30mg pills.  The evidence also established that Lambert sometimes issued illegitimate controlled substance prescriptions by signing Compton’s name to prescriptions. 

Under federal law, Compton and Lambert must serve 85 percent of their prison sentence.  Upon his release from prison, they will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Smith is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

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