AKRON, Ohio — Three men were sentenced in Akron federal court this week in a case involving forged prescriptions and conspiracy to sell drugs, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) release.
Michael White, a 43-year-old from Akron, pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances and two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
White was sentenced to five and a half years in prison followed by 10 years of mandatory probation, according to the release. It was the longest sentence given to the three defendants.
Judge Sara Lioi also sentenced 35-year-old Durrel Richerson to three years in prison followed by another three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and nine counts of Aggravated Identity Theft.
A third defendant, Dallas Delatte, a 34-year-old from Canton, was sentenced to 25 months in prison with three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and three counts of Aggravated Identity Theft.
According to the release, Richerson and Delatte attempted to use forged prescriptions for promethazine-codeine cough syrup at pharmacies in and around Akron. They were found using a Google account to store fake prescription templates with names, DEA numbers and NPI numbers of nearby physicians, without their knowledge. After making edits to the fake prescriptions, both men then took them to the pharmacies for the medication to be dispensed, authorities said.
A fourth defendant, Amanda Ball, previously pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances. She is scheduled to be sentenced in the case on September 12.
White and Ball, both facing charges of distributing and possessing illegal drugs, were found to have used a pill press machine to make and distribute illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, that looked like ecstasy. In December 2020, police executed a search warrant at both of their homes.
Around 89 pills containing methamphetamine, two digital scales and a blender with cocaine residue were found during both searches, according to the release.
The case was investigated by the DEA Cleveland’s Tactical Diversion Squad, with assistance from the Akron Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Canton Police Department and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations.