Judge Hands Down Long Prison Term in Illegal Oxycodone Distribution Case
| U.S. Attorney’s Office February 28, 2013 |
PHILADELPHIA—William Andrews, 52, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 145 months in prison for a drug distribution conspiracy involving approximately 7,000 pills of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of oxycodone. Andrews obtained oxycodone pills from various sources, including a licensed physician who issued prescriptions authorizing Andrews to obtain oxycodone pills from licensed pharmacies. Andrews then supplied oxycodone pills to his alleged co-conspirator, Joseph Fareri, for the purpose of selling the pills to customers, typically charging $20 for a 30-milligram pill. Andrews also sold oxycodone pills to customers.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg ordered six years of supervised release. Andrews pleaded guilty on April 11, 2013, to the conspiracy, to a charge of distribution, and a charge of distribution within 1,000 feet of a protected area. His co-defendant, Joseph Fareri, was sentenced on February 4, 2013, to 86 months in prison; co-defendant John Marshall is awaiting trial.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Troyer and Frank Labor and Special Assistant United States Attorneys Erik Olson and Heather Castellino of the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office.