Physical Therapist Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A physical therapist has pleaded guilty to breaking into patients' homes in the Scobey area and stealing prescription pain medication.

The Billings Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/1iSXGFo ) 31-year-old Kevin Criswell pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to acquire a controlled substance by subterfuge. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters scheduled sentencing for Sept. 10. Sentencing guidelines do not recommend a prison term.

Criswell was charged after people who had undergone physical therapy at the Scobey hospital 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan McCarthy says there were 91 victims.

Criswell, a former University of Montana basketball player who now works in Libby, says he has completed outpatient treatment and is in a recovery group.