Ambridge Woman Passed Fake Painkiller Scripts, Drove Getaway Car In Pharmacy Burglary

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Ambridge, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics and burglary laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Katie Adams, 28, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Adams conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. In that regard, the Court learned that Adams passed a number of fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions at pharmacies in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Adams then provided the obtained oxycodone to charged co-defendant David Best, who later resold this oxycodone. In addition, law enforcement from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office conducted a controlled buy of oxycodone from Adams in July, 2013.

Further, the Court was advised that Adams conspired with others to burglarize the Med-Fast pharmacy in Baden, Pa., on Sept. 26-27, 2012, and from that pharmacy, stole controlled substances, including oxycodone and oxymorphone. In that regard, the Court learned that Adams conspired together with separately charged defendants David Best and Carlos Martinez to burglarize the pharmacy. On the evening of Sept. 26, 2012, Adams 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 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. Carlos Martinez has previously pled guilty to burglarizing the pharmacy. David Best has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 30, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence on each count of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $1,000,000, 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 Katie Adams.