Suspects Used Fake Prescriptions To Get Opioids: Cops

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad agents continue to crack down on suspects using forged prescriptions to get their hands on powerful opioids patients with legitimate pain are forced to rely on for relief.

The agency has been busy dedicating resources to disrupt subjects working in coordinated efforts to pass along these fake prescriptions to obtain the pills. The investigations led by agents have resulted in the arrest and indictment of several individuals in Cherokee County, CMANS said Wednesday.

Agents on Aug. 14 were contacted by a pharmacist at a Walgreens store in Canton who believed two people were trying to use forged prescriptions to obtain oxycodone. Agents made contact with one subject, Lizette Pabellon, in the store and identified her associate, Dylan Paul Dessasore, who was found in a vehicle in parking lot.

Inside the vehicle were numerous fictitious prescriptions from metro Atlanta doctors’ offices, as well as numerous fraudulent driver’s licenses, CMANS said. Dessasore, 40, of Bronx, New York, and Pabellon, 39, also of Bronx, New York, were both arrested and charged with forgery in the first degree, seven counts of forgery in the second degree, 10 counts of identity fraud, criminal attempt to commit a felony and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. Dessasore and Pabellon were also in possession of multiple fraudulent identification documents, CMANS said.

Two months later on Oct. 5, agents were contacted by a Walgreen's pharmacist in Woodstock who believed a person came into the establishment and allegdly tried to use a forged prescription to fill oxycodone. Agents carried out a surveillance operation and arrested the woman, Pamela Smith, when she tried to fill the prescription for the opioid pain medication, CMANS said.

Two additional accomplices, Demaun McDuffie and Jermaine Young, were found in a vehicle outside with several other prescriptions from three separate doctors’ offices, 28 driver’s licenses from four different states, more fraudulently-obtained oxycodone tablets and a misdemeanor amount of marijuana, CMANS added. McDuffie also had a gun in his possession. After the individuals were charged, agents were able to confirm that all the prescriptions were, in fact, fake, the agency states.

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Young, 38, of Norcross, was charged with five counts of forgery in the second degree, possession of oxycodone, criminal attempt to commit a felony and possession of marijuana less one ounce. McDuffie, 22, of Atlanta, was charged with five counts of forgery in the second degree, forgery in the first degree, two counts of possession of oxycodone, criminal attempt to commit a felony, obtaining controlled substances by fraud, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of marijuana less than an ounce. Smith, 50, of Claxton, was also charged with five counts of second degree forgery, two counts of possession of oxycodone, forgery in the first degree and criminal attempt to commit a felony.

After year-long investigation, five people were indicted on Oct. 8 in Cherokee County for their alleged roles in a prescription fraud ring operating in metro Atlanta. They were indicted on charges of racketeering, identify theft, obtaining controlled substances by fraud, possession of a controlled substance and forgery in the first degree.

Defendants who were indicted were Alana Negron, 45, of Woodstock, Keegan Patrick, 30, of Canton, Jasmin Patrick, 33, of Canton, Daniel Dement, 38, of Canton and Maria Ines Rodriguez, 23, of Canton. The investigation leading to the indictment involved fraudulent prescriptions being filled at Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid and Sam's Club pharmacies in Cherokee Cobb and Hall counties from May 2016 to May 2017. Drugs obtained in this scheme included oxycodone; vyvanse, a medication used to treat ADHD; xanax; and phentermine, which can be used for weight loss.

The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad is a joint task force working in Cherokee County to investigate drug related violations. Participating agencies include the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, the Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs and Ball Ground police departments; the Cherokee County Marshal's Office, the District Attorney's Office for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit and the Georgia State Patrol. Citizens may call in tips anonymously to (770) 345-7920, or may speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.

Images via Cherokee Sheriff's Office