Malik Kiell Forte, a 29-year-old Fairburn resident, has been handed a sentence to serve nearly five years in federal prison for his involvement in a scheme that involved stealing prescription drugs valued at almost $400,000, as well as possessing a firearm despite prior felony convictions. The sentencing follows his February 5 guilty plea on various charges, including theft and drug trafficking, according to details provided by U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg.
The U.S. Attorney's Office reported that between March 2021 and June 2022, Forte was implicated in numerous burglaries targeting prescription drug deliveries at pharmacies across the Atlanta metro area and at a pharmaceutical distribution center in Stone Mountain, Georgia, "Forte’s actions not only harmed the businesses he targeted but impacted the safety and costs for anyone who relies on these medications," FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown pointed out Forte's impact reached further than just the immediate victims.
Authorities found a portion of the stolen goods at Forte's residence during a search, alongside a Glock pistol located in his bedroom; being a felon, Forte was legally barred from owning any firearms."Criminals who steal prescription medications for profit will be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted," U.S. Attorney Hertzberg firmly stated, reinforcing the strong stance against such crimes. Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. laid down the sentence on July 2, which includes a four-year, nine-month prison tenure followed by five years of supervised release.
The case against Forte was built through a concerted effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and led to his conviction on multiple accounts associated with the thefts and illegal firearm possession, this successful prosecution is a testament to the diligent work of Assistant United States Attorney Dash A. Cooper, alongside the various law enforcement agencies involved in the complex investigation. In a following announcement, the prosecutor's office indicated a dedication to securing the well-being of patients reliant on the pilfered medications by ensuring that the repercussions for the crimes committed by individuals like Forte are both swift and just.
