UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	MAY 1, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

PINSON WOMAN INDICTED FOR DRUG POSSESSION AND ILLEGAL USE OF
PHYSICIAN’S DRUG ENFORCEMENT REGISTRATION NUMBER

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - PAMELA PARKER-THOMAS, 51, of Pinson, Alabama, was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury today in U.S. District Court.   U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin announces the six-count indictment today for drug possession with  intent to distribute and the unlawful use of a physician’s Drug Enforcement Administration Registration Number.

            Count 1 charges PARKER-THOMAS  with illegally possessing with intent to distribute approximately 78,068 Phentermine tablets, a controlled substance, from July 12, 2006, until December 31, 2008, while working as a nutritional counselor.  The indictment charges in counts 2-6 that PARKER illegally used the physician’s Drug Enforcement Administration Registration Number to obtain approximately 78,068 dosage units of Phentermine,  a prescription weight loss drug.
           
            “The registration control systems and numbers pertaining to controlled substances must remain inviolate for the protection of the public,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.  “Those who violate the rules and regulations of America’s drug control systems will be prosecuted, and we hope to send a message that  illegal distributions are not worth the effort,” added U.S. Attorney Martin.
           
             If convicted, PARKER would face up to three years in prison for the possession count, four years imprisonment for each of the DEA registration number counts and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count.
                       
            Special Agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (Diversion Group) investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Frank M. Salter is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. 

            Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the Government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.