Ambridge Man Admits Serving As A "Lookout" For Baden Pharmacy Burglary

PITTSBURGH – A Beaver County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal burglary laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Carlos Martinez, 27, of Ambridge, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count of burglarizing a pharmacy before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Martinez conspired with others to burglarize the Med-Fast pharmacy in Baden, Pa., on September 26-27, 2012, and from that pharmacy, stole controlled substances, including oxycodone and oxymorphone. In that regard, the Court learned that Martinez conspired together with separately charged defendants David Best and Katie Adams to burglarize the pharmacy. On the evening of Sept. 26, 2012, Adams allegedly drove Best and Martinez to the pharmacy. Best first broke into the Chinese restaurant next door to the pharmacy, and from there, bore through the wall of the restaurant and into the pharmacy. Once inside the pharmacy, Best allegedly stole the controlled substances. While Best was inside the pharmacy, Martinez served as a "lookout" outside the pharmacy. Best then left the pharmacy, and Katie Adams, the "getaway" driver, drove Martinez and Best away from the pharmacy. The three persons later split the obtained narcotics amongst themselves. Katie Adams and David Best have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 30, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Carlos Martinez.