FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

JANUARY 19, 2006  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                        

FINAL DEFENDANT IN OXYCONTIN RING PLEADS GUILTY DURING TRIAL

GREENBELT, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces that today William Henry Muldrow, age 61, of Baltimore, Maryland pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and more than five grams of crack cocaine in connection with his participation in a statewide Oxycontin ring.

The federal jury trial began on January 17, 2006 before U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr.. Testimony was scheduled to continue today, but was halted when Muldrow decided to plead guilty to the conspiracy charge.

According to the statement of facts presented to the court at his guilty plea today, from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2003, Muldrow and his co-conspirators created fraudulent prescriptions using computers and photocopiers. They then recruited people whom they called “runners” to submit these prescriptions at pharmacies throughout Maryland. The fraudulently obtained drugs were then resold on the street. Muldrow and the other members of this drug organization also used Medicaid health insurance cards to pay for some of the fraudulent prescriptions. During the conspiracy, members of this drug organization passed over 2000 fraudulent prescriptions at pharmacies throughout Maryland. On the day of Muldrow’s arrest in the case, October 30, 2003, authorities seized a .22 caliber rifle, crack cocaine, and numerous documents relating to the fraudulent prescriptions from the defendant’s car.

Muldrow faces a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, a $2 million fine, and a mandatory term of 4 years on supervised release. Judge Williams scheduled the sentencing for March 29, 2006. Twelve other defendants in this case have previously pleaded guilty. The eleven defendants who have been sentenced received sentences of between 2 years and 13 years.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Federal Bureau of Investigation; FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations; Anne Arundel County Police Department; Baltimore County Police Department; Howard County Police Department; and Montgomery County Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donna Sanger and Patrick Pericak who prosecuted the case.