Charges against a woman accused of scheming with another woman to unlawfully obtain prescription pills were bound to McKean County Court on Monday.
Elaina M. Scharba, 40, appeared for a preliminary Monday before District Judge David Engman in Kane.
According to court records, Scharba, who had been a licensed practical nurse, developed an addiction to pain medications three years prior after a procedure, and had tried to obtain pills.
Police were contacted after Kasey M. Chitester, who is also charged, had tried to obtain a refill of a previous prescription of Tramadol, which was being rejected by insurance, court records indicated.
The pharmacist had filled a prescription for Tylenol 3 a few days prior. The prescription was called in by a woman claiming to be a nurse at Magee Hospital in Pittsburgh and was picked up by a woman claiming to be Chitester’s mother. Chitester denied receiving the prescription or knowledge of who had picked it up, the complaint stated.
The pharmacist called the number left with the prescription, and while she was talking to the woman who claimed to be from the hospital, an actual hospital representative called the pharmacist back. The actual hospital representative said she didn’t know Chitester and that they had never called in a prescription for her; they only issue paper prescriptions, the complaint stated.
The actual doctor whose name the prescription was issued under contacted the pharmacy and requested a search for patients using his name there, as he was concerned it was fraudulent. The only other person using that pharmacy under that doctor’s name was Scharba, the complaint alleged.
Scharba is charged with six counts each of acquiring possession of a controlled substance through misrepresentation and conspiracy to do the same, all felonies, and six counts each of criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy to do the same, all third-degree felonies.
Scharba is free, having posted $5,000 bail. She is scheduled to appear Dec. 19 for a preliminary hearing in Forest County on similar criminal allegations.
Six of the 17 counts against Chitester were dismissed at her preliminary hearing in October, and she is scheduled to appear for a last day to plea conference on Jan. 11. She is also free on $5,000 bail.
Assault charges against Johnsonburg man bound to court
Assault charges against a Johnsonburg man accused of choking someone were bound to court Monday at a preliminary hearing before District Judge David Engman.
Brett A. Kinney, 33, is charged with strangulation, a second-degree felony; simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor; harassment and disorderly conduct, both summary charges.
Court records stated that on Sept. 24, Kane Borough Police were dispatched to a report of an assault that had happened earlier in the day. Police spoke to the alleged victim, who said the night before, she had locked all her doors and windows, but Kinney, her boyfriend, was inside her home when she woke up.
The two argued, Kinney grabbed her and choked her until she couldn’t breathe, then struck her several times, the criminal complaint alleged.
Kinney is free, having posted $25,000 bail.
