Six weeks after his arrest, a Medford Lakes pharmacist faces the prospect of decades in prison for distributing opiates and narcotics illegally.

New England Towns Struggle With Opioid And Heroin Epidemic
Getty Images
loading...

In a Camden courtroom, David Goldfield, 58, pleaded guilty to one federal charge of conspiracy to illegally distribute and dispense oxycodone and other Schedule II controlled substances, and five counts related to "multiple substantive counts" of illegal distribution and dispensing of oxycodone, according to New Jersey U.S Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

The conspiracy charge, and each substantive count of distribution, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $1,000,000 fines, or twice the gross gain or loss arising from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for March 31, 2017.

Charges are still pending against Michael Ludwikowski, 44, owner of the Olde Medford Pharmacy and Medford Family Pharmacy, apprehended at the same time as Goldfield.

Authorities said that Goldfield admitted involvement from January 2010 through August 2013, telling the court that his training and experience rendered it obvious that many individuals didn't need the pain killers they were getting.

Among the red flags Goldfield said he observed, according to authorities, were washed, or bleached, prescriptions, a process that chemically removes original handwriting for non-narcotic substances, allowing re-entry for stronger drugs.

Prosecutors said that Goldfield also admitted observing customers who were believed to be either drug addicts, or to be selling or abusing oxycodone, and customers residing great distances from the pharmacies.

He also admitted noticing individuals submitting prescriptions under numerous identities, and customers arriving several times within a week with prescriptions for 30-day supplies, authorities said.

Goldfield told investigators that he filled prescriptions, allegedly on orders from Ludwikowski, despite his suspicions, and admitted that they stored bottles of oxycodone in a pullout drawer at the front counter instead of in a locked safe, authorities said.

At a point in which Ludwikowski grew concerned with the volume of prescriptions, the pair allegedly began turning away customers with rigged prescriptions by telling them that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration cut their supplies, authorities said.

Goldfield is represented by attorney Gerald L. Scutti. The government's case is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Danilewitz and Senior Litigation Counsel Jason Richardson.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.

More From 92.7 WOBM