Kentucky doctor, wife sentenced in opioid sales scheme

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky doctor has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for illegally distributing pain pills. Dr. Scotty Akers of Pikeville, Kentucky, was sentenced last week in federal court in Lexington. News outlets report his wife, Serissa Akers, who served as his office manager, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. The defendants admitted to social media messaging applications to sell prescriptions for opioids. According to their plea agreements, Serissa Akers exchanged prescriptions written by her husband for cash in parking lots around Pikeville. Prosecutors said the illegal distribution came at a time when the defendants did not have a legitimate medical practice.