Florida Pharmacy Technician Steals Drugs

A 24 year-old woman who worked as a pharmacy technician at HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers, Florida has been arrested and charged for stealing hospital narcotics. The charges she faces are adulterating a drug for distribution, grand theft of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. The ex-pharmacist was charged in early May, 2013 with bail set at $4,500. She came under suspicion by hospital employees who reported that she was acting in a suspicious manner around the secured areas in the facility where the drugs were kept. The drugs involved consisted of hydromorphone, which is derived from morphine. The drug is an opiod pain-reliever and legally a narcotic. When used to treat chronic pain for an extended time period, it can become highly addictive.

After coming under suspicion, the woman was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, which discovered that she was stealing the drugs and replacing the vials in which the drugs were contained with water. Investigators reported that she was involved in 40 incidents of this behavior between the time period of December 2011 through January 2012. In Florida, the unauthorized possession of a very small amount of a prescription drug, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, or Xanax, is charged as a felony. Law enforcement agencies in Florida commonly push to prosecute such cases due to a statewide campaign to reduce the prescription drug abuse epidemic.

Criminal Defense Firm in Fort Myers, Florida

Being arrested and charged with a criminal offense, whether it pertains to prescription drug theft, drunk driving, a white collar crime, or a violent crime such as rape, armed robbery, or murder can impact your life for months or years to come. You may be facing the prospect of jail or prison time, heavy financial penalties, probation, and other court-mandated actions. Ensuring that your case is represented by an experienced and skilled criminal defense lawyer is vital.

Brian L. Edwards, Esq. is a former Assistant State Attorney with a track record of success in the Florida judicial system. He is a lifetime resident of Lee County and understands the local community, law enforcement, and court systems better than most other law firms. He has more than 12 years of experience in criminal defense and brings to the table an abundance of practical knowledge and legal skills that can make a difference in the outcome of your case. He offers a free case consultation to those who have been arrested or who are under a criminal investigation. Contact his firm to schedule your consultation and learn what should be done in your defense.