Courtney J. Howard, 26, of Grayson and David R. Nickell, 33, of Sandy Hook were featured on MTV's "True Life: I'm Addicted to Pills", which aired on December 9. In the show Howard stole valuables from her mother and procured drugs which she did in front of her 5-year-old son.
Carter County Attorney, Patrick Flannery, saw the episode and reported the matter to Kentucky State Police who began an investigation. Howard and Nickell were arrested on December 20. Howard was charged with possession of a controlled substance, endangering the welfare of a minor and felony theft. Nickell was charged with trafficking a controlled substance.
"I don't know how somebody can think they can participate in a drug deal on national television and there will be no consequences..." Flannery said. Viacom, the parent company of MTV, has not commented on the matter.
