Wilmington Man Sentenced to 48 Months Imprisonment for Illegal Oxycodone Distribution

WILMINGTON, Del. – Charles M. Oberly, III, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Lawrence Brinkley, age 51, of Wilmington, was sentenced on December 2, 2016, by U. S. District Court Judge Richard G. Andrews to 48 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. 

The sentencing came after Mr. Brinkley pled guilty on August 2, 2016 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone. 

 Between July 2014 and January 2016, Mr. Brinkley was the ringleader of a group of individuals that obtained prescriptions for oxycodone pills and filled those prescriptions in Delaware pharmacies.  Brinkley and his co-conspirators then illegally sold those pills on the street.

 After the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Oberly stated, “We are satisfied with this substantial sentence.  The abuse of prescription drugs is an epidemic in Delaware.  Anyone tempted to make money by selling oxycodone illegally should know that the punishment will be severe.”

 “The illegal diversion and sale of prescription opioids is a violation of federal law and of great concern to the DEA,” said Gary Tuggle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division.  “All too often the abuse of prescription opioids leads to heroin use, overdoses, and even death.  The DEA will remain vigilant in pursuing criminal groups that seek to distribute prescription drugs such as these.” 

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Task Force Officers from the Newark Police Department, the New Castle County Police Department, the Delaware State Police, and the Maryland State Police.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Hall.  U.S. Attorney Oberly thanked the investigators for their hard work in pursuing this investigation.