A former Littleton pharmacist was indicted last week by a federal grand jury in a scheme to allegedly dispense drugs illegally and defraud the health care system.
According to a news release from United States Attorney George E.B. Holding, on June 21 the grand jury returned a criminal indictment against James Arnold King, 68.
The 41- count Indictment included charges of distributing and dispensing a Hydrocodone combination product without a prescription authorized by a practitioner, in violation of Title 21, United States Code.
Counts 1 through 8
Distributing and dispensing a Hydrocodone combination product by utilizing DEA registrations that were issued to another person.
Counts 9 through 16
Distributing and dispensing Phenobarbital without a prescription authorized by a practitioner.
Counts 17 through 19
Distributing and dispensing Phenobarbital by utilizing DEA registrations that were issued to another person.
Counts 20 through 22
Distributing and dispensing Butalbital without a prescription authorized by a practitioner.
Counts 23 through 31
Distributing and dispensing Phenobarbital by utilizing DEA registrations that were issued to another person.
Counts 32 through 40
Aiding and abetting knowingly and intentionally executing a scheme to defraud a health care benefit program.
The indictment further lists dates, from February 24, 2006, through September 10, 2008, in which the offenses occurred.
A forfeiture notice is also included in the indictment which lists three parcels of real property located in Littleton.
He faces up to five years’ imprisonment for each of counts 1-8 and 23-31; up to four years’ imprisonment for each of counts 9-16, 20-22 and 32-40; up to three years’ imprisonment for each of counts 17-19; and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for count 41.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Littleton Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells is assigned the prosecution.
