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Hills plead guilty in Federal drug case

David Lee Hill and Andy Ray Lewis agreed to enter a guilty plea on conspiring to distribute oxycodone pills, while Barbara Hill agreed to plea on a charge of obtaining government benefits under fraudulent conditions.

A fourth suspect in the case, Willie Hill, pled guilty on possession with intent to distribute charges earlier this past year.

David Lee Hill agreed to enter a guilty plea on a count of conspiring to distribute oxycodone, and to forfeit property that was used in the course of committing the crimes, or was obtained as a result of the illegal activity.

According to the proposed plea agreement Hill began conspiring with others in 2007 to obtain and distribute illegal narcotics. Hill would obtain the pills from several in-state sources, then would sell them to drug users. He admitted to distributing over 10,000 oxycodone pills over six years.

He could face up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine, along with three years of supervised release.

Hill also agreed to surrender assets, including several vehicles and heavy equipment, and property.

Andy Ray Lewis also agreed to a similar plea, admitting to conspiring to distribute approximately 680 oxycodone pills, and could face up to 20 years and a fine of $1,000,000.

Barbara Hill agreed to enter a guilty plea on Count 3 of the arraignment: making materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statements related to the receipt of health care benefits.

The indictment alleged Hill illegally obtained approximately $74,000 in health care benefits from Kentucky Medicaid and approximately $22,000 in SNAP benefits from between 2007 and 2013.

Barbara Hill could face up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release.

The agreement stipulates Hill will have to pay restitution for the benefits obtained, with credit toward the balance issued from the property seizure agreed for under David Hill’s plea agreement.

Due to the agreements, the final sentence on all three defendants will, most likely, be lower than the maximum allowable. Other charges pending against the defendants were dropped as a result of the pleadings.

Final sentencing in the cases is scheduled for November 13.

The case began in August 2009 when Willie Hill was pulled over by the Kentucky State Police for traffic violations.

After the stop, the trooper observed Lewis, a passenger in the vehicle, opening a container and placing an object in his mouth. The Trooper ordered Lewis to spit out the object, which turned out to be a hydrocodone pill.

A search of Hill found a pistol concealed in Hill’s pants pocket, and the men were placed under arrest – Hill for the traffic violations and the weapons charge. Lewis was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Following the arrest, a narcotics dog gave a positive alert for the presence of drugs in the vehicle, and a search warrant was obtained. A total of 480 oxycodone 80 mg pills were recovered from the vehicle.

In a post-arrest interview, Lewis allegedly admitted he and Hill had traveled to Marietta, Georgia to obtain pills for David and Barbara Hill. He stated Barbara Hill had provided approximately $24,000 to make the purchase. He reportedly added that this was the second trip he had made on behalf of the couple to obtain pills.

A large-scale investigation was launched, with confidential informants making several controlled purchases throughout the course of the investigation.

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