Southwest Virginia Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty To Multiple Drug Charges

An Abingdon Virginia nurse practitioner pleads guilty to charges he illegally distributed opiates and other prescription drugs to patients. 43 year old Matthew Justin Sykes was employed by Watauga Recovery Center and conspired with health care providers in a cash payment practice. Prosecutors say Sykes, on a regular basis provided prescriptions for patients who did not have a legitimate need for the drugs.