Wilmington – Delaware State Police Drug Diversion Unit investigators have arrested a Philadelphia woman and charged her in connection with providing fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances to numerous individuals, according to Master Corporal Jeffrey Hale.
Hale said the investigation began in May of 2017, after members of the Delaware State Police Drug Diversion Unit (DDU) responded to the Walgreens Pharmacy, located at 38 Fox Hunt Drive, Bear, in reference to a subject who was attempting to use a forged prescription for narcotic drugs.
Upon their arrival, agents took Devon Hawkes, 25, of Bear, into custody. They then learned that Hawkes had responded to the pharmacy and had presented a prescription which was purportedly signed by a Wilmington area doctor however, it was determined that the prescription was fictitious, said Hale.
Devon Hawkes was transported to Troop 2, where after further investigation, it was learned that a former medical assistant at the Wilmington area doctor’s office, identified as Annette Scott, 49, had stolen blank prescription pads from the office and forged the doctor’s signature on them, according to Hale.
She then distributed 23 prescriptions, all of which were for controlled substances, to several individuals, including Devon Hawkes, said Hale. The individuals would then fill the prescriptions at area pharmacies and use their Medicaid Insurance to pay for the fraudulent prescriptions, added Hale.
Annette Scott, who was arrested by DDU agents on Monday, July 31, 2017, was charged with a total of 23 felonies including Theft of a Blank Prescription Form or Pad, Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, Forgery 2nd Degree, Insurance Fraud, Identity Theft, and Conspiracy 2nd. She was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Correctional Institution in default of $43,000.00 secured bail.
Devon Hawkes was arrested by agents on June 30, 2017. He was charged with a total of 19 felonies and 2 misdemeanors to include Obtaining or Attempting to Obtain a Controlled Substance by Fraud, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Forgery, and Receiving Stolen Property. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and released on $10,500.00 unsecured bail.
This investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are expected, said Hale.
Image Credits: Delaware State Police