Logistics EMS chief for northern Idaho county sentenced for stealing opioids

The erstwhile logistics main for Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services was sentenced to 5 years probation Wednesday for over-ordering opioids to provender his supplier habit.

Scott Higgins, 57, was convicted of theft from a programme receiving national costs and acquiring controlled substances by fraud.

In his domiciled astatine Kootenai County EMS, Higgins was successful complaint of purchasing and managing controlled substances for nan department. From July 2020 to February 2023, Higgins ordered “substantially” much opioids than required and utilized nan excess personally, according to a news merchandise from nan United States Attorney’s Office District of Idaho.

The worth of nan narcotics was complete $13,000.

Higgins was cooperative pinch nan investigation, accepted work and did proactive constituent maltreatment curen which led Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye to condemnation Higgins to probation.

If Higgins violates nan position of his probation he could look up to 14 years successful prison. Higgins besides has to salary restitution.

“This lawsuit is simply a reminder of really nan opioid situation impacts our communities successful galore different ways,” said Josh Hurwit, U.S. Attorney for Idaho. “It demonstrates not only nan request for beardown enforcement but besides nan request for each of america to travel together to raise consciousness astir nan dangers of opioids arsenic good arsenic nan dream that tin beryllium recovered done constituent maltreatment treatment.”