WILLOUGHBY -- A Laketran bus driver appeared in Willoughby Municipal Court Monday on a felony drug trafficking charge.
Karen L. Kuhn, 56, of Madison, was arrested Thursday by Willoughby police and the Lake County Narcotics Agency.
The agency had received information that Kuhn was selling prescription drugs, which she had legally obtained through a doctor.
While police and narcotics agents are unaware if Kuhn was actually working a laketran shift at the time of the incident, they said they saw her selling 60 milligram tablets of Oxycontin and 10 milligram tablets of Percocet.
Willoughby Municipal Court records show Kuhn sold 10 tablets of Oxycontin at the Heinen's grocery store at 34501 Ridge Road in Willoughby.
Kuhn was charged with drug trafficking.
Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Harry Field set Kuhn's bond at $10,000 and a preliminary hearing has been set for March 21.
Laketran says Kuhn is now on unpaid leave.
Laketran released a statement Monday afternoon:
Laketran was informed by the Lake County Narcotics Agency (LCNA) that the LCNA had arrested a bus driver in connection with its investigation of illegal sale of prescription drugs. Laketran had no previous knowledge of any alleged illegal activity until the notification by LCNA.
Laketran has a long standing history of working very closely with law enforcement agencies and is fully cooperating with LCNA in the investigation of this matter. Questions regarding the case should be directed to LCNA at 440-350-3333. All Laketran employees are required to sign a statement acknowledging that it is unlawful to manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use a controlled substance or misuse alcohol.
When provided with evidence of illegal activity on its buses or its property, Laketran takes swift and significant steps to investigate, correct, and disciple those involved, as appropriate. The driver has been placed on unpaid leave pending the investigation.
We hold our drivers to a very high standard of professionalism and customer service. This incident is not indicative of our drivers or employees and is an isolated incident. Safety of our customers is our main concern. All of Laketran's local, in-county route and commuter express buses are equipped with video and audio surveillance cameras and Laketran has been equipping Dial-a-Ride buses as they being replaced.
There were no passengers on-board at the time of the incident.
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