A pharmacist from Medford Township, New Jersey was recently convicted on multiple criminal charges in connection oxycodone distribution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey.
45-year-old Medford Township resident Michael Ludwikowski, who owned and operated Olde Medford Pharmacy and Medford Family Pharmacy in Burlington County, was found guilty on six counts, which included illegal distribution and dispensation of oxycodone and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
This case arose from activities that took place between March of 2008 and August of 2013, during which Ludwikowski had significant amounts of 30mg oxycodone pills shipped to his pharmacies from a national distributor. He and several of his employess then distributed the prescription opioids to individuals who presented fraudulent prescriptions. For example, some prescriptions were originally for a non-narcotic substance but were chemically altered to remove the writing, which was then rewritten as “oxycodone.”
The State said that Ludwikowski knew that these prescriptions were false and that they were not for a legitimate medical purpose. He also received gifts and cash in exchange for dispensing oxycodone. Further, investigators discovered that Ludwikowski developed a relationship with a local doctor who sent his pain patients to Ludwikowski’s pharmacies. All of this cultimated in the indictment, charging the Burlington County pharmacist with five counts of illegally dispensing and distributing oxycodone and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.
After a five-week trial in Federal Court in Camden and a three-day deliberation, the jury handed down its “guilty” verdict. Now, Ludwikowski faces severe penalties in connection with these charges. Specifically, each count of illegal distribution of oxycodone entails a maximum 20-year term of imprisonment, as well as a $1 million fine. As for maintaining a drug-involved premises, the term of incarceration is also a 20-year maximum, with a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the gross gain or loss associated with the offense.
New Jersey State and Federal officials take prescription drug crimes extremely seriously, pursuing and prosecuting alleged offenders to the fullest extent of the law. When you are charged with possession, distribution, or intent to distribute prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, Percocet, Adderall, Ritalin, Valium, or Vicodin in New Jersey, it is absolutely imperative to construct an aggressive defense. Criminal defense attorney William Fay has been fighting for clients in Superior, Municipal, and Federal courts in Burlington County, Camden County and Southern New Jersey. To discuss your prescription drug charges with Mr. Fay, contact his offices today at 609-832-3202 for a free consultation.
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