FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
MARCH 19, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORMER CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE AIR FORCE ADMITS
TO STEALING AT LEAST 100 BOTTLES OF VIAGRA WORTH OVER $55,000
GREENBELT, Maryland - Lawrence Williams, age 48, of District Heights, Maryland pleaded guilty today to theft of at least 100 bottles of Viagra from Andrews Air Force Base (AAFB), announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to his guilty plea, Williams worked as a Medical Logistics Specialist at AAFB beginning in 2000, placing orders for and distributing supplies of prescription drugs to AAFB medical facilities. In June 2005, Viagra was removed from the AAFB-approved prescription drug list. However, between June 2005 and July 2006 Williams used his position to order bottles of Viagra on behalf of the Air Force, which he resold for personal profit. Each bottle of Viagra cost the Air Force $551.16 in 2005 and $581.06 in 2006.
On July 13, 2006, authorities learned that Williams had concealed 15 bottles of Viagra in his car and was attempting to leave AAFB. Williams was arrested and the drugs recovered. Williams admitted to stealing at least 100 bottles of Viagra, and smaller amounts of the prescription drug Levitra.
Williams faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has set sentencing for July 2, 2007.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 331 at Andrews Air Force Base, for their investigative work performed in this case. Mr. Rosenstein also praised Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Su, who is prosecuting the case.