May 26, 2015

Pharmacist’s Drug Conviction Results in 63 Month Prison Term

PHILADELPHIA—Bevis Vanterpool, 37, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for conspiring to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II narcotic controlled substance, and money laundering. Between May 2010 and December 19, 2011, Vanterpool owned and operated TraceMark Pharmacy at 4839 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, where he was the sole pharmacist. During that period, Vanterpool accepted and filled nearly 5,000 fraudulent prescriptions for at least 447,761 mg. of oxycodone. Vanterpool knew that the prescriptions were forged and fraudulent, as they had not been written by physicians. Vanterpool laundered at least $1,180,000 in proceeds from his illegal activity.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Mary A. McLaughlin ordered a fine of $1,000, a special assessment of $200, and three years of supervised release to follow imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Unit, and the Philadelphia Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary E. Crawley.