Boise nurse convicted in federal drug case

BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) – U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced that Angela Kathryn Hughes, 50, of Boise, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Hughes was a nurse in Boise who wrote illegal prescriptions for oxycodone, oxycodone-acetaminophen and hydrocodone-acetaminophen in exchange for methamphetamine and a portion of the prescription between January 2022 and March 2023. She conspired with Sydney Neal, 39, of Boise and others to distribute the pills. The total number of prescription pills dispensed was 4,358 oxycodone-acetaminophen pills, 2,854 oxycodone tablets and 2,625 hydrocodone tablets.

“Medical providers are supposed to care about their patients and their communities. The defendant in this case did the opposite and exacerbated the dangerous problem of prescription drug abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “I am grateful to the team of prosecutors and investigators who found out what happened and put a stop to it.”

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered that Hughes be placed on three years of supervised release upon her release from prison.

Neal had previously been sentenced to five years' probation for selling the controlled substances and receiving cash, which she then passed on to Hughes. In return, Neil continued to receive and distribute the illegitimate prescriptions.

“Providers who recklessly distribute controlled substances undermine efforts to address the ongoing opioid crisis and betray their professional responsibility to serve the health and welfare of the American public,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to hold bad actors accountable and keep Idaho communities safe.”

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