Two men from Columbus, Ohio, have been handed federal prison sentences for the burglary of multiple pharmacies across several states, targeting large quantities of controlled substances. George H. Cunningham, 42, received 100 months' imprisonment, while Tarvin M. Hamler, III, 43, will serve 96 months, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois. The convictions came after the pair pleaded guilty to charges that included conspiracy to distribute and the possession with intent to distribute controlled substances: namely, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine.
This criminal activity undercuts legitimately needed services and undermines the efforts of healthcare providers to carefully regulate and distribute these potent drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration's investigation has been crucial in bringing these perpetrators to justice and in highlighting the essential need for secure and responsible drug distribution in our communities.
From March 2018 through February 2020, the duo burglarized establishments in multiple locations, including Illinois and Missouri, by breaking glass windows and prying doors open to steal bulk quantities of the aforementioned drugs. These acts not only resulted in the theft of controlled substances but also caused damage to the very fabric of local communities that depend heavily on their pharmacies for healthcare services.
Running parallel to this case, McKindley V. Allen, 32, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty to similar charges involving pharmacy burglaries and the intent to distribute stolen medications. Allen's entry into pharmacies was notably marked by the use of a Sawzall to cut through walls, as stated in the court documents. Scheduled for sentencing on December 11, Allen faces serious consequences for his actions which included stealing more than 16,000 pills after one such burglary in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. His co-conspirator, Deleon J. Fontennet, also from Houston, awaits a court appearance in September.
The detailed work of law enforcement in these cases underscores the ongoing struggle against the illegal distribution of prescribed narcotics, a vein of criminal activity affecting many layers of society. "Criminals that target community-based pharmacies rip at the core of health and safety for many," Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Dixon emphasized to the public. These cases, pursued diligently by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Hudson and John Trippi, set a precedent for the severity with which such crimes are treated, aiming to ensure that access to necessary medication remains regulated and safe.
