Franklin Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of Justice
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – In a shocking turn of events, Franklin Police Department officer Vickie M. Kristiansen, age 43, of Franklin, Kentucky, has waived indictment and pleaded guilty in federal court to a felony information charging her with conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. This conviction marks a significant blow to law enforcement integrity and a stark reminder of the corruption that can pervade the ranks of those sworn to protect and serve.
According to a plea agreement, Vickie M. Kristiansen participated in a local drug task force while employed with the Franklin Police Department. During the course of Kristiansen’s work, she became aware of a federal investigation into Dr. Robert Lee for unlawful prescription of controlled substances in the course of his medical practice. The defendant also became aware of steps that were being taken in the investigation.
Around February 2013, Kristiansen met with Dr. Lee and told him he was being investigated for the purpose of helping Dr. Lee avoid being charged federally. She informed him the investigators would send undercover agents to attempt to obtain controlled substances from Dr. Lee, and advised Dr. Lee not to accept any new patients. Kristiansen told Dr. Lee he should shred documents and avoid putting his trash out on the curb until trash day, to avoid law enforcement trash pulls. She promised to inform Dr. Lee if she learned “something major” was going to happen concerning the investigation. The defendant emphasized the importance of the secrecy of their conversation, stating she could lose her job for tipping off Dr. Lee. After this conversation, Kristiansen continued to participate in the investigation of Dr. Lee, which included unsuccessful attempts at sending undercover officers to make purchases from Dr. Lee and eventual seizure of documents. Kristiansen concealed her conversation with Dr. Lee. One of the primary objectives of the conspiracy was thwarted when Dr. Lee was federally charged in November 2015.
Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Gregory is prosecuting the case, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.
Vickie M. Kristiansen, 43, of Franklin, Kentucky, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. The defendant is currently free on bond and is scheduled to be sentenced on a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The charges against Vickie M. Kristiansen are the result of an ongoing effort by the United States Attorney’s Office to combat public corruption and uphold the integrity of law enforcement.
Defendant: Vickie M. Kristiansen
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding
City and State: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Date: February 2013
Sentence: Currently pending
Dollar Amounts: None
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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