PROVO — An American Fork woman, who prosecutors say obtained dozens of prescriptions for narcotics from dozens of doctors, has been spared prison time but will have to serve six months in the Utah County Jail.
Laurie Knight, 32, appeared in 4th District Court on Tuesday to be sentenced on 14 counts of prescription fraud, credit card fraud and forgery, all third-degree felonies. She was also to be sentenced on one class A count of prescription fraud.
Prosecutors allege that Knight, who was originally charged with more than 50 felonies but struck a plea deal, saw 66 different doctors over a two-month period to obtain prescriptions for narcotic pain killers. Knight's attorney, Gunda Jarvis, said her client was attempting to self-medicate herself to relieve depression.
In court Tuesday, Judge Anthony Schofield spared Knight the possibility of serving up to five years in prison and ordered her to serve 180 days in the Utah County Jail instead. As part of the sentencing, Schofield required that Knight complete in-patient treatment. If she fails, Knight will be found in violation of her probation and could be sentenced to prison at that time.
Jarvis said Knight had already applied for drug treatment and plans on paying for it out of her own pocket.
Schofield also ordered Knight to inform her probation officer of any new prescriptions she may be taking.