SARAH J. MURRAY, 31, of Everett, Washington, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to participating in a pharmacy burglary in Edmonds, Washington, and to participating in a forged prescription ring acquiring quantities of oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of law. These felony offenses are punishable by up to twenty years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

As part of her guilty plea, SARAH MURRAY admitted participating, with her husband Brent Murray, in the burglary of J and J Pharmacy at 7315 212th Street SW, Edmonds, Washington on December 5, 2005. The burglary was committed after the pharmacy was closed for business. Prior to the burglary, Brent Murray visited his place of employment, Evergreen Security, a security business located in Everett, Washington, where he obtained the alarm code for the security system at J and J Pharmacy. The code was then used by SARAH MURRAY to de-activate the alarm and enter the pharmacy without being detected. Quantities of oxycodone, morphine, and methylphenidate (Ritalin), among other Schedule II and III controlled substances were taken and thereafter consumed and sold to others.

In addition, during the Fall of 2005, through approximately March 2006, SARAH MURRAY conspired with others to acquire oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, by presenting and having filled forged prescriptions at pharmacies for oxycodone. The MURRAYs obtained the blank prescription scripts from an individual who had access to such prescription scripts through Harborview Hospital and the University of Washington Medical Center. SARAH MURRAY, a former pharmacy technician, then completed the forms ordering quantities of oxycodone, and forging the names of doctors. Several prescriptions were involved, and virtually all of them were for 60 pill quantities of 80 mg. oxycodone, which is the highest strength of oxycodone available. Oxycodone is a powerful and highly addictive opiate pain treatment drug.

Sentencing is set for September 28, 2007, before the Honorable Robert S. Lasnik, United States District Judge.

This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NW HIDTA), and the Edmonds Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald J. Friedman.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.

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