Charges: ID Thieves Peddling Pills

A federal grand jury in Louisville, Ky., this week indicted eight people in an unusual identity theft and prescription drug dealing ring — a ring that also allegedly involved one member trying to kill another member in retaliation for cooperating with investigators.

Officials with the U.S. Secret Service, which investigated the ring, said the suspects stole the identities of about 200 people, according to a report on the indictment by Louisville’s WLKY-TV. Investigators said the suspects then used fraudulent credit cards obtained in victims’ names to get cash advances that they would then use to purchase OxyContin and hydrocodone in the victims’ names. The suspects would then illegally sell the prescription drugs on the street, investigators said,

One of those indicted — Timothy Murphy — also has been charged with trying to kill another accused member of the ring — his ex-girlfriend. Investigators said the woman, Amanda Moreland, had provided information to authorities on at least three occasions. After Murphy discovered that, investigators said, he tried to kill Moreland by attempting to give her an overdose of Oxycontin while she was unconscious.

A Secret Service official said the ring cause about $250,000 in losses to its victims.

In addition to the murder charges against Murphy, the eight defendants have been charged with aggravated identity theft, wire fraud and distribution of OxyContin and hydrocodone.