News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2002

Former Lowell Pharmacist Sentenced For Drug Distribution

Boston, MA…. A former Lowell pharmacist was sentenced today in federal court on four counts of drug distribution in connection with the sale of various pharmaceuticals outside the course of professional practice.

Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, Mark Dragonetti, Resident Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, and United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, announced today that Steven GILBOARD, age 57, of Malden, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 37 months' imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment. GILBOARD pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841 (a)(1) on September 18, 2002.

At the earlier plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that had the case proceeded to trial the Government's evidence would have proven that one three occasions, September 21, September 28, and October 16, 2001, in Salisbury and Haverhill, Massachusetts, GILBOARD sold a quantity of Schedule II, III and IV controlled substances to a cooperating witness. GILBOARD sold these pharmaceuticals outside the course of his professional practice and not pursuant to a prescription or other authorization. All three transactions were monitored and recorded by law enforcement.

A search warrant was executed at GILBOARD's house at 11 Brox Road, Dracut, Massachusetts, on October 16, 2001. The search resulted in the seizure of some 13,000 pills, about 8,700 of which were Schedule II, III or IV controlled substances. GILBOARD made a statement to law enforcement after his arrest in which he acknowledged selling the drugs. He said he got them in a variety of ways revealed to law enforcement, including obtaining unfilled prescriptions from dead or dying hospice patients, outdated pharmaceuticals from his workplace and a "collection" from a friend.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration.