Three arrested after forging prescriptions
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Officers from the Ripley County Sheriff's Department made arrests Monday night after they received information three men were possibly forging prescriptions.

Arrested were three men from Jeffersonville - Lance A. Weber, 23, Stuart A. DeLewis, 22, and Matthew R. Bays, 26. They were found in possession of approximately 700 hydrocodone pills. Officers say street value of the pills would bring a profit of between $4,200 and $4,900.

Local authorities investigated the situation after receiving information from CVS Pharmacy in Versailles. Further investigation revealed the men had obtained the pills by using forged prescriptions in at least four places in Madison and two in Versailles.

The three are currently being held at the Ripley County Sheriff's Department on charges of Obtaining a Controlled Substance Contrary to Law, a Class D Felony and Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class D Felony.

Sgt. Randy Holt and Chief Deputy David Pippin are the investigating officers and were assisted by Deputy Corky Houseworth. The investigation is continuing with cooperation from the Madison and Hanover police departments.

The problem of prescription medication abuse is becoming more and more prevalent, according to Sheriff Bill Davison. "Thanks to the quick actions by the pharmacy and short response time by the officers involved, the suspects were apprehended without incident and the drugs were taken off the street," Davison concluded.