Four Individuals Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances

COVINGTON, KY—James Brooks, 67, of Hamilton, Ohio, Nick Tipton, 30, of Winchester, Kentucky, William Forbis, 53 and Renee Forbis, 42, both of Addyston, Ohio were all sentenced to prison by Judge Danny C. Reeves for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.

These individuals were sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy that involved a former Augusta doctor, Milton Brindley, who was sentenced to 71 months in prison last week for his role.

Brooks received 50 months in prison, Tipton got 38 months, William Forbis was sentenced to 40 months, and Renee Forbis received 41 months. Each will have to serve at least 85 percent of the prison sentence before release.

These individuals conspired with one another and Brindley to obtain prescriptions of controlled substances and distribute those substances. Each was involved in recruiting other members of the organization to pose as patients. Dr. Brindley received money, jewelry, and sexual favors in return for writing the prescriptions. These defendants would get the prescriptions filled in Covington, Ky. and then distribute the pills throughout the region.

James A. Zerhusen, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Robert L. Corso, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Timothy D. Cox, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, jointly made the announcement today after the sentencings. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Kentucky State Police. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony J. Bracke and Alamdar S. Hamdani.