United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MINEOLA, N.Y. – Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division, Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan and Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Valley Stream man was arrested today for allegedly using a doctor’s prescription pad to acquire more than 13,000 oxycodone and morphine pills during a nine-month period.

James Cosentino, 27, was arraigned before Judge Paul Meli on two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (a B felony) and 10 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree (a D felony). The defendant was sent to pre-trial services and is due back in court November 20. If convicted of the top charge, the defendant faces a potential maximum of nine years in prison.

 “This is a great example of medical practitioners helping law enforcement stop the diversion of prescription pain medication. By alerting us of the forged prescriptions, we were able to fully investigate and stop the defendant in his tracks, hopefully saving himself and others in the process,” said Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan.

 “The defendant allegedly used forged prescriptions to acquire more than 13,000 opioid pills in just nine months,” DA Singas said. “The opioid epidemic is impacting every corner of the United States and the crisis has only grown more acute during the coronavirus public health emergency. This investigation into this defendant is ongoing and I thank our partners at the DEA for their assistance.”

 DA Singas said that Cosentino allegedly acquired a prescription pad from a former doctor. From approximately December 2019 to September 2020, the defendant allegedly went to a Nassau County-based pharmacy numerous times in person and presented forged prescriptions for oxycodone and morphine – in various amounts and doses – for himself. On at least one occasion, the defendant allegedly placed a call to the same pharmacy claiming to be his former doctor.

The defendant allegedly acquired 11,580 oxycodone pills and 2,820 morphine pills during the nine-month period.

Cosentino surrendered this morning to detective investigators at the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Victoria Mauri of DA Singas’ Special Operations, Narcotics and Gang Bureau is prosecuting this case. The defendant is represented by Mark Isaacs, Esq.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.

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