Jasper County Pharmacists Plead Guilty To Illegal Distribution Of Controlled Substances
BENTON, IL. - Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Jeffrey Todd Chenoweth, R.Ph., 40, of Newton, Ill., and David Sherman Lustig, R.Ph., 72, of Effingham, Illinois, have each pled guilty to an indictment charging each with felonies - illegal distribution of Schedule II controlled substance, Oxycodone, and illegal distribution of Schedule III controlled substance, Hydrocodone. The indictment also charged Chenoweth with illegal distribution of Schedule II controlled substance, Hydromorphone. The offenses involved dispensing outside the course of professional practice to customers without valid prescriptions at the CVS Pharmacy in Newton, Illinois, where Chenoweth was employed as the pharmacist in charge and Lustig was employed as a pharmacist. The Oxycodone and Hydromorphone offenses carry a maximum potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and not less than 3 years’ supervised release following imprisonment. The Hydrocodone offense carries up to10 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and up to 3 years’ supervised release.
United States Attorney Wigginton praised the skilled investigation conducted by the federal agents in this case. He noted, “No matter what you do, or who you are, if you abuse the citizens of Southern Illinois by illegally distributing drugs, you will be brought to justice.”
Sentencing for both men will be in United States District Court in Benton, Illinois, on September 8, 2011, for Lustig, and on September 15, 2011, for Chenoweth.
This case was investigated by agents of the United States Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, as part of the ongoing “Project Dr. Feelgood” investigations into medical personnel or organizations who abuse the public trust by illegally dispensing controlled substances the Southern District of Illinois. “If you illegally dispense drugs, do not think that you can hide behind a medical license.” United States Attorney Wigginton warned.
