EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
BOSTON, Mass. - A Worcester man was convicted today in federal court of possessing suboxone with intent to distribute.
Leopold McLune, 28, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge f. Dennis Saylor, IV to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. McLune, a licensed pharmacy technician since 2007, had been employed at the CVS pharmacy on Front Street in Worcester. An August 2010 inventory check revealed significant losses of Vicodin and Suboxone pills. At the request of DEA, CVS security installed cameras inside pharmacy in early September 2010. Over the following months, the cameras showed McLune opening bottles of Suboxone, peeling back the safety seals, and emptying the contents of the bottle into the pocket of his lab jacket. In other instances, the camera showed McLune pouring Vicodin or other prescription drugs that could not be determined into his pockets.
Judge Saylor scheduled sentencing for August 5, 2011. McLune faces up to ten years imprisonment to be followed by a minimum of two years of supervised release, and a $ 500,000 fine. McLune also faces restitution of over $7,000 to CVS.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Special Agent in Charge Steven Derr of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in New England made the announcement today. The case was investigated by the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad in Worcester. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Hennessy of Ortiz’s Worcester Branch Office.
