Defendant illegally obtained over 180 prescription pills from Chapmanville Pharmacy, including oxycodone, Xanax, and morphine
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Lincoln County man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Aaron Hatfield, 37, of Harts, entered his guilty plea to obtaining controlled substances by fraud and misrepresentation.
Hatfield admitted that on January 6, 2016, he acquired a family member’s key to Chapmanville Pharmacy through misrepresentation and entered the building after normal business hours. Once inside, he obtained oxycodone, Xanax, and morphine pills. Hatfield moved pill bottles around in an effort to avoid detection, though he was recorded by the pharmacy’s video surveillance. He further admitted to obtaining 130 oxycodone pills, 50 Xanax pills, and eight 100 mg morphine pills. He also admitted that he did not have a valid prescription nor the authority to enter the pharmacy and obtain the pills.
Hatfield faces up to four years in federal prison when he is sentenced on Oct. 11, 2016.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.
This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
