FLORIDA—The former manager of a veterinary hospital in Ocala, who reportedly obtained more than 21,000 hydrocodone tablets using forged prescriptions, has pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud.
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On Wednesday, United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Crystal Windham, 41, of Summerfield, pleaded guilty to an information charging her with attempting to obtain a controlled substance (hydrocodone) by fraud. Ms Windham faces a maximum penalty of four years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
According to court documents, between July 2020 and May 2023, Windham purchased more than 21,000 hydrocodone tablets from a pharmacy in Summerfield. Ms Windham used forged prescriptions from two veterinarians to acquire the drugs.
Many of the prescriptions were for deceased pets or for animals for whom the veterinary practice had never prescribed hydrocodone.
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On May 9, 2023, Windham reportedly went to the pharmacy and again attempted to fill a fraudulent prescription for hydrocodone. She was stopped before doing so.
When subsequently interviewed by law enforcement, Ms Windham reportedly admitted the scheme by which she had fraudulently obtained the hydrocodone tablets.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie K. Boyer is prosecuting it.
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