Baltimore Prescription Drug Trafficker Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Richard Ashbrook, age 51, of Baltimore, today to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute oxycodone.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Howard County Police Chief William McMahon; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis; Acting Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Nicholas DiGiulio, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services; Otis E. Harris, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Coast Guard Investigative Service, Chesapeake Region; and Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department.

"The big picture about today's sentencing of Mr. Ashbrook is that prescription drug trafficking in Maryland is a growing problem," stated Gary Tuggle, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge. “As a result of the illegal abuse of opiate based drugs like oxycodone, a wider epidemic of opiate addiction has developed in Maryland. We now have a new sub culture of opiate addicted individuals; individuals who now turn to heroin to feed their habits all because of prescription drug abuse."

According to his plea agreement, from the spring of 2012 to July 2013, Ashbrook illegally sold prescription pills, often OxyContin and Percocet, to David Paschall and others. David Paschall operated Paschall’s Auto Body Shop, formerly located at 801 Desoto Road in Baltimore. Ashbrook knew that the business was operating as a hub for the sale of illegal narcotics - mostly oxycodone, but also heroin, cocaine and other illegal drugs. Ashbrook sold oxycodone to David Paschall that was either prescribed to him, or which he had illegally obtained from others. Ashbrook sold more than 14,930 milligrams of oxycodone, which is roughly 1,000 15mg pills. He further admitted that members of the conspiracy distributed between 14.93 and 59.70 grams of oxycodone.

Ashbrook also knew of other illegal conduct being committed by his coconspirators and others. David Paschall and others borrowed Ashbrook’s truck to use in commercial burglaries. On April 8, 2013, law enforcement overheard Ashbrook warning David Paschall about the light coming on when the truck doors are open, and suggesting that Paschall use a screwdriver to pop out the light, to avoid detection by law enforcement.

David Paschall, age 54, of Catonsville, Maryland, and his son, Chad Paschall, age 28, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty in February 2014 to conspiring to distribute oxycodone and two counts of conspiring to commit bank burglary. The Paschalls admitted to committing commercial burglaries in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. According to their plea agreements, the Paschalls conspired to steal cash, money orders, stamps, silver bars, jewelry, cigarettes, lottery tickets, prescription drugs, food, beverages, safes, laptop computers, cell phones, electronics, vehicles and other valuable items from gas stations, convenience stores, banks, credit unions and other commercial establishments.

At their sentencing, David and Chad Paschall face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the drug conspiracy, and five years in prison for the bank larceny conspiracy. David Paschall has agreed to forfeit $500,000, his ownership interest in Paschall’s Auto Body Shop and his residence, three firearms and his vehicle. Chad Paschall has agreed to forfeit $250,000, his interest in his residence, four firearms and ammunition.

To date, a total of 12 defendants charged in the drug and burglary conspiracies have pleaded guilty to their participation in the criminal activities. Charges remain pending against four other defendants.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, Howard County Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department; Anne Arundel County Department, ATF, Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General; Coast Guard Investigative Service and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein also praised the many local and state agencies in Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania for their assistance in the investigation.

Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys David I. Sharfstein and Andrea L. Smith, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.