United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BENTON, IL - - Stephen R. Wigginton , United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that David Sherman Lustig, 72, of Effingham, Illinois, was sentenced on an indictment charging illegal distribution of Schedule II controlled substance, Oxycodone, and Schedule III controlled substance, Hydrocodone. The offenses involved dispensing outside the course of professional practice to customers without a current valid prescription at the CVS Pharmacy in Newton, Illinois where Lustig was employed as a pharmacist. Licensed pharmacists are not permitted to dispense controlled substances “early” in the belief that a valid prescription will be obtained by the customer later. The Court imposed a sentence of five years’ probation, a $10,000 fine, and $200 special assessment. The Court also ordered as a condition of probation that Lustig undergo a mental health evaluation and mental health treatment as directed by the Probation Office. Lustig has surrendered his state pharmacist license.

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 in the Southern District of Illinois.