Long Island Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Terrance Belford was sentenced by United States District Judge Joanna Seybert to 46 months in prison following his guilty plea in May 2018 to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.  Belford was arrested in June 2017 for his participation in an oxycodone distribution ring active on Long Island. 

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Keith Kruskall, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, announced the sentence.

“Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Belford’s crime, using stolen prescription forms to feed the opioid epidemic and enrich himself, then blatantly discussing the price and availability of his illegal drugs on Facebook,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “This Office will continue to vigorously prosecute opioid dealers like the defendant.”  Mr. Donoghue expressed his gratitude to all the alert and responsible pharmacists nationwide, including those in Enterprise, Alabama, whose reports of a suspicious prescription form presented by Belford were integral to the success of this prosecution.

“Today, my office will use social media and tweet about today’s sentencing, much like the defendant’s use of Facebook to broadcast his drug deals,” stated Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kruskall.  “DEA’s message is very clear- if you deal drugs, you go to jail.  I commend the men and women on the LIDO—TDS and Eastern District of New York for their diligent work on this case and many others targeting opioid traffickers.”

According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, beginning in late 2016 and continuing into early 2017, Belford and his co-conspirators filled out stolen prescription forms and used them to obtain controlled substances, typically 30 milligram oxycodone tablets, which they then sold at a substantial profit.  In December 2016, Belford attempted to fill one of the stolen prescriptions in Enterprise, Alabama, under a false name.  An employee of the pharmacy refused to fill the prescription and called the local police, resulting in Belford’s arrest. 

Belford boasted on Facebook of his ability to obtain multiple controlled substances unlawfully, including oxycodone, powder cocaine and crack cocaine.  He also stated on Facebook that had he not been intercepted in Alabama, he would have profited $10,000 by reselling oxycodone acquired with fraudulent prescriptions. 

This case was investigated by the DEA’s Long Island Tactical Diversion Squad comprising agents and officers of the DEA, Nassau County Police Department, Rockville Centre Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, Port Washington Police Department and Internal Revenue Service. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.  Assistant United States Attorney J. Matthew Haggans is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

TERRANCE BELFORD
Age:  36
Bellport, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-399 (JS)