Defendant Charged in Federal Court for Possessing Medication Stolen From a CVS Pharmacy During the Baltimore Riots

Baltimore, Maryland – A criminal complaint has been filed charging Rashad Robertson, age 25, of Baltimore, with possession of Alprazolam, a prescription drug stolen during the looting on April 27, 2015 from the CVS Pharmacy located at 2509 Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore (CVS Pharmacy).  The complaint was filed on August 31, 2015 and unsealed today.

The complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Interim Commissioner Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; and Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division.

“Federal law enforcement agencies are working closely with local police and prosecutors to investigate crimes committed during the Baltimore riots,” said U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein.        

On April 27, 2015, the CVS Pharmacy was looted and burned. According to the affidavit in support of the complaint, on June 17, 2015, during the investigation of the pharmacy robbery, Baltimore police officers followed an individual, not Robertson, who was suspected of having a handgun, to a home in the 2400 block of Francis Street.  They subsequently recovered a BB gun replica in the backyard.

The affidavit further alleges that the owner of the residence consented to a search.  During an initial sweep of the dwelling, various prescription medications were located in plain view from the upstairs landing on a dresser in a rear bedroom.  Many of the medications had “Return to stock vial” printed on the bottles with no prescribed recipient and “XXXX” appearing where a name would normally be provided.  The bottles had “CVS Pharmacy” labels affixed to them.  The residence is located approximately one block east from the CVS Pharmacy.

According to the affidavit, the owner advised that Robertson resided in the bedroom of the home that contained the medications.  Robertson was also present during the search.  When questioned, Robertson allegedly told investigators that the medications came from the April riots, and that an associate brought the medications to his house after the riots and put them on his dresser.

The affidavit alleges that further investigation revealed that the prescription bottles had been filled at the CVS Pharmacy.  One of the bottles contained 60 pills of Alprazolam.  DEA agents obtained video from the CVS Pharmacy.  The video allegedly depicted an individual, identified as Robertson, in the pharmacy going through shelves where narcotics are located.  Robertson allegedly can be seen taking unknown pill bottles.

Robertson faces a maximum sentence of one year and a $1,000 fine. Robertson had his initial appearance today and was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Friday, September 11, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on July 16, 2015 charging Raymon Carter, age 24, of Baltimore, with committing arson on April 27, 2015 of the same CVS Pharmacy. Carter has pleaded not guilty.

A criminal complaint and indictment are not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by criminal complaint or indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the DEA, Baltimore Police Department and ATF for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Seema Mittal, who is prosecuting the case.