Bowie Pharmacist Ran Pill Mill, Filled Fake Prescriptions: Police

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Officials on May 27 accused a Bowie pharmacist of running a pill mill and filling fraudulent opioid prescriptions. The suspect faces a potential prison sentence and fine if they are convicted, an incident report noted.

Prosecutors identified the accused pharmacist as 61-year-old Aloysius Ikuni Okei. They added that Okei owned and operated Family Choice Pharmacy, Inc. at 8313 Annapolis Road in New Carrollton.

Authorities alleged that Okei has knowingly filled fake prescriptions for drugs like oxycodone and alprazolam since October 2013. The press release indicated that Okei would submit Medicaid claims for the fraudulent orders and take up to $450 cash from the customers, even though Medicaid covered the cost of the medicine.

The write-up explained that police charged Okei with:

• Medicaid fraud
• Theft
• 239 counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance

The report mentioned that:

• Felony Medicaid fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years and up to a $100,000 fine.
• Felony theft carries a maximum sentence of five years and up to a $10,000 fine.
• Distribution carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and up to a $25,000 fine. This potential sentence and fine could be less depending on what schedule, or severity, the drugs are.

Officers also charged 48-year-old Reggie Eugene Hall of Upper Marlboro with 50 separate counts of passing false prescriptions for controlled dangerous substances with the intent to distribute, the prosecution advised. Authorities reported that Hall presented fake prescriptions in his name and in others' to Okei.

"Abuse of prescription drugs is an epidemic across the country," Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said in the release. "Pharmacists, of all people, must be keenly aware of the dangers of addiction and death arising from drug abuse. We have charged Okei with distributing controlled, dangerous prescription drugs and with defrauding the State of thousands of Medicaid dollars."

The suspects have not yet gone to trial. They are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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