DANIEL B. DOUGLAS, 27, of Seattle, Washington, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to robbing and attempting to rob Washington State pharmacies. He faces a sentence of imprisonment of up to twenty years and a $250,000 fine.

In pleading guilty, DOUGLAS acknowledged that on Saturday, February 7, 2009, at 4:30 p.m., he entered the Rite-Aid Pharmacy at 7500A 196th Street SW, Lynnwood, Washington, and presented a hand-written note to the pharmacist stating he had a gun and demanding oxycodone. Oxycodone is a highly abused and addictive Schedule II controlled substance. DOUGLAS received multiple bottles of oxycodone pills and fled with the pills.

Days later, on Thursday, February 19, 2009, at 2:20 p.m., DOUGLAS entered the Bob Johnson Pharmacy at 1407 NW 85th Street, Seattle, Washington. DOUGLAS approached the counter and presented a hand-written note to the pharmacist stating he had a gun and demanding oxycodone. This time the pharmacist returned to the counter with a semi-automatic Glock pistol which he pointed at DOUGLAS who then fled the store. Following an investigation by the Robbery Unit of the Seattle Police Department, DOUGLAS was apprehended later that evening, and confessed to both of the above crimes, as well as to an addiction to oxycodone.

Pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals, where controlled substances are stored constitute protected federal facilities, and burglarizing or robbing such facilities constitutes a violation of federal law.

Washington is experiencing an increasing level of unlawful distribution and consumption of highly addictive prescription drugs, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, and federal law enforcement will continue to prosecute such matters, in conjunction with state law enforcement authorities, in an effort to address this problem.

In addition to pleading guilty, DOUGLAS agreed to pay restitution to the pharmacy and to assist in public education efforts regarding the escalating problem of prescription drug abuse.

DOUGLAS is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard Jones on July 31, 2009.

This case is part of a Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Prescription Drug Initiative focused upon the unlawful proliferation of pharmaceutical controlled substances and the targeting of pharmacies within the Western District of Washington and elsewhere. The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Drug Diversion Unit.

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.

Return to Top