Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Conway Announces Indictment in Scheme to Mail Prescription Pills from Florida to Kentucky

Attorney General Jack Conway and his Office of Special Prosecutions today announced the indictment in Christian County of three people in connection with a scheme to mail large quantities of prescription pain pills from Florida to Kentucky.

A Christian County grand jury today returned an indictment against 27-year-old Peter Nibert of Pasco County, Fl., 36-year-old Scotty Dewayne Highsmith and 24-year-old Cary Adler, both of Hopkinsville. Nibert is charged with conspiracy to traffic in Schedule II controlled substances, first degree. He was also indicted for being a persistent felony offender, second degree. Nibert has two previous felony convictions in the state of Florida and is currently incarcerated in Pasco County, Florida on drug trafficking charges. Highsmith and Alder are also charged with conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances, first degree. Highsmith is currently lodged in the Christian County Jail.

The indictments are the result of an ongoing investigation conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Christian County Sheriff's Office, in cooperation with the Pasco County, Florida Sheriff's office. Prosecutors in General Conway's Office of Special Prosecutions are handling the prosecution of this case at the request of, and in cooperation with, Christian County Commonwealth's Attorney Lynn Pryor.

Attorney General Conway is increasing investigations into the illegal trafficking of prescription pills in Kentucky through his statewide Prescription Drug Diversion Task Force. The task force, a key participant in the largest prescription drug bust in Kentucky history, is also cracking down on overprescribing physicians, doctor shopping and illegal out-of-state pharmacies.

In addition to his investigative efforts, Attorney General Conway has joined with the Kentucky Justice Cabinet and its Office of Drug Control Policy, Kentucky Pharmacists Association, National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI), Operation UNITE and concerned parents to launch a statewide prescription drug abuse education and prevention initiative. It includes school presentations to alert Kentucky middle and high school students about the dangers of using prescription drugs for recreational purposes.

Attorney General Conway has also worked closely with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to ensure that Gov. Rick Scott implements an electronic prescription drug monitoring system, similar to Kentucky's KASPER system. Law enforcement estimate that 60% of illegal pain pills in Kentucky come from Florida.

A charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Peter Nibert, 27