Associated Press - January 27, 2010 9:04 AM ET

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - A nurse practitioner convicted of conspiring to get Lortab with fake prescriptions will spend three years in prison.

Ava McElwee, a nurse practitioner who worked alongside her husband, Dr. Tandy McElwee, must report to prison March 1. She faces a year of supervised probation after her release and must forfeit her nursing license while in prison and on probation.

During Ava McElwee's sentencing hearing Tuesday, federal judge Maurice Hicks said evidence presented during the trial showed she had a supervisory role, although he conceded she didn't direct criminal activities outlined during the trial.

Ava McElwee, Dr. McElwee and six others were arrested after a federal investigation into prescribing practices at her husband's Bossier City medical office between 2004 and 2007.

Information from: The Times, http://www.shreveporttimes.com

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