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Feds Crack Down on Illicit Prescription Drug Sales

2010-10-13T04:04:00.000-07:00

By Megan Breckenridge, Staff Writer

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HOUSTON—Pharmacies in Illinois and Utah stand accused of illicit prescription drug sales over the Internet, according to court papers filed by federal agents in two U.S. cities.

Search warrant affidavits allege that both pharmacies, one in Des Plaines, Illinois, and the other in American Fork, Utah, are owned by the same man, Kyle Rootsaert. The company in Des Plaines, now called Rand Pharmacy, combined with another unidentified online pharmacy shipped 30,000 packages of prescription drugs across the country during the first six months of 2010.

"This is a pretty large ring of at least 200 websites that acted as internet pharmacies that were basically selling drugs—prescription drugs—without requiring a valid prescription," John Horton, a former official in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in an interview with CNN. "These affidavits indicate this was a multiyear, multimillion-dollar operation involving thousands and thousands of prescriptions. Going back in time, there were even deaths involved with this organization."

According to the court documents, the majority of the drugs were highly addictive, especially the muscle relaxants Soma and Tramadol. And the same physician, Dr. William E. Morrow of Layton, Utah, authorized most of the prescriptions without ever having seen or talked to any of the people ordering the drugs.

In 1999, Morrow lost his right to dispense controlled drugs for three years because he did not follow proper prescription procedures, Utah records show. He was also fined $1,000, but regained his right to prescribe controlled medications in 2002. His right to practice medicine was never taken away.

Federal agents bought drugs from the online pharmacies between 2008 and April 2010 without a prescription, the affidavits say. The pills were delivered within a day or two, and dozens of follow-up emails were sent encouraging the agents to purchase more drugs. Also in 2008, a correspondent for CNN’s Special Investigation’s Unit was able to obtain the antidepressant Prozac without a prescription from the accused pharmacies.

There are countless reasons to be cautious when ordering medications online, including the sale of altered drug formulations, and expired or counterfeit products. To be sure that you are getting your medication from a reputable source, it is best to visit a licensed brick and mortar pharmacy or use an online pharmacy that has been certified by the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program at legitscript.com.

If you or someone you know has been harmed by pharmaceutical drugs, contact the experienced team at Sullo & Sullo, LLP. Call us at 713.839.9026 or visit our website at www.sullolaw.com for a free legal consultation today.

Criminal Defense

2009-12-09T04:16:00.000-08:00

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Criminal Defense

Different civil law, which involve confidential law suit between two or private article; Criminal Defense Law involves trial by the state or federal government of a person or business for an act that has been secret as a crime. Any act or omission of an act in violation of a public law forbidding or commanding it is considered a "crime." With the exception of strict liability crimes, most crimes consist of three elements: an act (act us reus), a mental state (mens rea) and the intent to do social damage. Crimes are secret as "bad behavior" (less serious offenses that are normally punishable by a fine like some traffic violation, petty theft, or possession of a small amount of marijuana) and "felonies" (more serious offenses that warrant imprisonment of one or more years, such as rape, grand theft, assault and battery, assault with a deadly weapon, or murder/kill).

In Criminal Defense Law, the suit is initiated by the state or federal government through a prosecutor rather than being initiated by the victim, as it is in civil law. Plaintiffs in a civil law suit only need to show by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant is 51% or more liable (responsible) for the damages. But, the prosecutor in a criminal defense law case has to prove to the judge or jury "further than the shadow of a doubt" that the defendant is guilty of the crime charged.

If you're arrested.

You may be entitled to a court appointed attorney at public expense if you qualify as an indigent person. An indigent person is one who cannot hire an attorney without causing substantial hardship to him/her or dependent family. If you have been charged with a crime, you may complete an Affidavit of Indigence and Request for Court Appointed Counsel at your first court appearance. If you qualify, a legal representative will be appointed for you. If you are convicted of a crime, the court may require you to repay some or all of the cost of your defense if it determines you are able.

Criminal Defense -Texas Criminal Defense Attorney..

2009-03-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

Criminal Defense

Felony & Misdemeanor Criminal Defense - Sullo & Sullo has assembled a team of strong, experienced and qualified criminal trial lawyers. Our attorneys have the experience, resources and technology to handle any criminal case