Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced William Hennessey (37, Spring Hill) to 51 months in federal prison for distributing Schedule II controlled substances after burglarizing a pharmacy. The court also ordered Hennessey to pay $36,000 in restitution to the pharmacy.
Hennessey had pleaded guilty on July 31, 2019.
According to court documents, on March 23, 2019, Hennessey broke into Suntrust Pharmacy in Port Richey and stole a large safe filled with thousands of highly-addictive Schedule II controlled substances, including oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and dextroamphetamine. Four days later, law enforcement agents located two plastic containers filled with the stolen oxycodone pills in Hennessey’s car. They also found a glove matching the one found at the pharmacy, at Hennessey’s house. Hennessey had distributed the remaining drugs, which were later recovered by law enforcement, to others.
Hennessey also stole more than $12,000 in cash from the pharmacy. He bought a motorcycle and other items with the stolen money. Hennessey later admitted that he had stolen the safe, cash, and the controlled substances from the pharmacy and had distributed some of the drugs to others.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen.
This case was investigated by the Middle District of Florida Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit -- one of twelve Department of Justice pilot programs created to help combat the devastating opioid crisis that is ravaging families and communities across America and to prosecute individuals that are contributing to the opioid epidemic.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
