CVS EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH DRUG DISTRIBUTION
BOSTON, Mass. - A Worcester man was charged yesterday in federal court with distribution of Vicodin and Suboxone which he allegedly stole from his employer, CVS Pharmacy in Worcester.
LEOPOLD MCLUNE, 28, was charged in a criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, MCLUNE faces up to 20 years imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine.
The criminal complaint alleges that MCLUNE was employed at the CVS Pharmacy on Front Street in Worcester as a pharmacy technician. In that position, he assisted in the home delivery of prescription drugs. According to the complaint, CVS corporate security became aware of significant losses of Vicodin and Suboxone, both controlled substances from its pharmacy inventory. As a result, CVS installed covert video surveillance inside the pharmacy. Video recordings show MCLUNE on approximately 20 occasions between September 2010 and January 2011, pouring the contents of bottles containing either Vicodin and Suboxone into his pockets. A CVS audit shows thousands of pills were unaccounted for.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division made the announcement today. The case was investigated by the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad in Worcester which comprises investigators from DEA, and the Burlington, North Andover, Wellesley, Plainville, Westborough, Douglas and Worcester Police Departments. CVS Pharmacy provided critical cooperation to agents in the investigation, agreeing to install video surveillance and allowing agents access to the surveillance recordings. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Hennessy of Ortiz's Worcester Branch Office.
The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
