MORGANTON, NC — Former Foothills Regional Airport operations manager Brad Adkins taped urine to his body to try to pass a drug test given by the federal government.
Adkins had his bond revoked because of a failed drug test, according to federal court documents.
Part of Adkins’ condition of bond, after pleading guilty to conspiracy and embezzlement in 2012, was that he not use or possess a narcotic drug or other controlled substances unless it was prescribed. In November, he admitted to taking Xanax, which is commonly used to treat anxiety.
According to court documents, Adkins said he had a prescription for the drug but never produced the prescription. In his presentence report, Adkins said the only drug he was taking was methadone. Methadone has been used for years to treat drug addiction but in recent years has also been prescribed to treat pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
According to federal court documents, “While giving a urine sample, it was discovered that Defendant had concealed in his underwear a small bottle that was wrapped in duct tape in which was located urine that Defendant had stored and which he was attempting to provide to the U.S. Probation Officer as his urine sample. His intent in doing so was so his use of Xanax would be undetected.”
Adkins has been held at the McDowell County Jail since his bond was revoked. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Adkins and Alex Nelson, former airport manager, are expected to be sentenced today in federal court in Asheville.
Nelson pleaded guilty in September 2012 to conspiracy, embezzlement and money laundering. He’s facing a maximum sentence of 35 years.
However, Nelson’s attorney, Jack Stewart, has asked for a reduced sentence from the Federal Sentencing Guideline Range.
The request filed with the federal courts said Nelson, 50, is a life-long resident of Caldwell County and was self-employed as a builder prior to taking the job at the airport. He had little or no experience in administrative or financial affairs of municipal operations.
Nelson’s attorney said while money was misapplied or mismanaged, it was done so on the advice of third parties.
“For example, in retrospect, the Defendant acted imprudently in considering the advice of accountants, other counsel, and his own brother to create various related business accounts that serviced Airport needs like landscaping (Tri County Grounds and Maintenance), aircraft storage and repair (Western Carolina Aviation) and fuel services (Foothills Regional Fuel Services),” court documents say.
Although Nelson pleaded guilty to embezzlement and money laundering, his attorney said the accounts weren’t purposefully created by Nelson to launder money or conceal assets.
The document says Nelson came to rely heavily on an airport bookkeeper/auditor. It says the bookkeeper was supposed to provide monthly financial reports to Nelson and the airport board that detailed expenditures and costs, but the reports were never produced or provided to Nelson during his entire tenure.
It goes on to say Nelson had no prior criminal record or history of substance abuse, is married and a father. It says he has demonstrated his respect for the law by not having a criminal record, accepted responsibility for his part for his actions and cooperated with the FBI.
Nelson’s attorney goes on to say he lost his job and income and suffered “pervasive adverse publicity and humiliation in the local news accounts.”
He said the prosecution has had a physical toll on Nelson and his family, including mental health issues and depression.
Nelson’s attorney said Nelson has been employed throughout his adult life, acknowledged his wrongdoing, had good character and reputation before the offense, has a support group in the community and is needed to help care of three children.
Story and photos: http://www.hickoryrecord.com
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