Not everyone in Michigan who is charged with drug-related offenses ends up facing federal charges. However, those who do stand to lose everything, as a conviction on federal drug charges can have significant consequences. Most recently, two people in the Detroit area were arrested and charged for their alleged roles in an opioid dispensing scheme. Given the nature of the crime alleged, their cases will be addressed at the federal level.
The crime
According to reports, authorities claim that a pharmacist and a pharmacy assistant took part in a scheme to dispense over $1.2 million in opioids to fictitious patients. They are accused of doing this between Sept. 2017 and June 2020. The drugs they are accused of dispensing illegally include oxymorphone and oxycodone. In total, investigators say roughly 42,000 dosage units of the medications were distributed.
About the accused
The accused individuals are a 46-year-old male — the pharmacist — and a 33-year-old female — the assistant. The pharmacist was employed at Village Script East Pharmacy, and the assistant worked for Nottingham Pharmacy. If they are ultimately convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Fight for the best outcome
As with any criminal case, these individuals are guaranteed the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in court and beyond a reasonable doubt. They have the right to defend themselves. They have the right to fight for the best possible outcome — whether that be achieving a case dismissal, reaching a plea agreement or fighting things out in criminal court. Thankfully, they can turn to an experienced, Michigan-based criminal defense attorney for help.
