Libby therapist pleads guilty to drug charge
The Associated Press | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 2 months AGO
BILLINGS (AP) — A Libby physical therapist has pleaded guilty to breaking into patients’ homes in the Scobey area and stealing prescription pain medication, apparently replacing it with aspirin or Tylenol.
During a hearing before U.S. District Judge Susan Watters on Tuesday, Kevin Criswell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to acquire a controlled substance by subterfuge. Watters scheduled sentencing for Sept. 10. Sentencing guidelines do not recommend a prison term.
Criswell, 31, was charged after people who had undergone physical therapy at the Scobey hospital in early 2012 noticed their pain medication wasn’t working.
When they contacted the pharmacist, they were told their pill bottles contained over-the-counter pain medication and not the opiates they were prescribed.
A resident told the Daniels County sheriff that Criswell had tried to enter the residence of one physical therapy patient, knowing that patient was not at home.
In July 2012, Criswell acknowledged stealing hydrocodone and oxycodone pills from 62 patients, court records said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan McCarthy said there were 91 victims.
Criswell, a former University of Montana basketball player who now works at Orthopedic Rehab in Libby, told the judge he has completed a three-month outpatient treatment program, four months of counseling and is in a recovery group.
He told Watters that he understood he could lose his physical therapy license.
A co-defendant, assistant physical therapist Cale Handran of Scobey, is scheduled to plead guilty on May 19.
Criswell’s employer has supported him during the legal case.
“We all know too well the dreadful effects that these pain killers have had on our population,” according to a statement from Kalispell-based Orthopedic Rehab.
“Kevin Criswell resigned from Daniels County Hospital nearly three years ago following these allegations. He underwent counseling and drug testing and he was seen fit to hire by St. John’s Hospital in Libby two years later.
“Kevin Criswell has been our trusted employee for a year. As a condition of his employment, he continues to be drug tested and has never tested positive. We have appreciated the confidence placed in us by the Board of Physical Therapy to supervise Kevin. Kevin and Orthopedic Rehab have taken this responsibility seriously and believe that we have fully met the Board’s expectations.
“Everyone deserves a second chance.”
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