Former Kootenai County employee sentenced in drug scheme

COEUR d’ALENE — The former division chief of logistics for the Kootenai County EMS System received a probation sentence this week after he pleaded guilty to carrying out a drug diversion scheme. 

Scott T. Higgins, 57, of Coeur d’Alene, pleaded guilty to theft concerning a program receiving federal funds and acquiring controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud or deception, according to court records. 

Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ordered Higgins to pay restitution to Kootenai County EMS and placed him on probation for five years. If Higgins violates the terms of his probation, he will be subject to re-sentencing and faces up to 14 years in prison. 

Nye indicated the probation sentence was based partly on “Higgins’ lack of criminal history, cooperation with the investigation, acceptance of responsibility and proactive engagement in substance abuse treatment,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

In his position as division chief of logistics, Higgins was responsible for purchasing and managing controlled substances on behalf of the Kootenai County EMS System. Between July 2020 and February 2023, Higgins ordered “significantly” more opioids than were required and kept the excess for personal use, according to court records. These opioids included morphine, hydromorphone and fentanyl. 

The total value of the opioids that Higgins wrongfully acquired from this scheme was $13,428.24. 

U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwitt said in a news release that this case is a reminder of how the opioid crisis impacts communities in different ways. 

“People like Mr. Higgins who work with controlled substances are placed in positions of special trust to safeguard the public’s health and well-being and (the Drug Enforcement Administration) takes any violation of that trust extremely seriously,” David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division, said in a news release. “We are gratified by the accountability the Court imposed on Mr. Higgins for breaking his obligations and we thank the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho for their partnership in this effort.” 

Hurwitt also commended the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance with the investigation.