(Phoenix, Ariz. -- September 21, 2010) Attorney General Terry Goddard, in cooperation with the Peoria Police Department, today announced an 84-count indictment charging 14 individuals who were fraudulently filling stolen drug prescriptions.
Two of the ring’s leaders are Tyler Jensen Deane, 24, of Peoria and Leanne Dureivage, 31, of Gilbert.
They were charged after an investigation by the Peoria Police Department and Attorney General’s Office found that Dureivage had stolen blank prescription pads from the health care provider she worked for and sold them to Deane. Deane recruited 12 others to participate in filling the prescriptions for oxycodone, which he then sold. Dureivage, who ordered the prescriptions, would also answer the phone if the pharmacy called to verify the false prescriptions. The group was responsible for obtaining at least 5,000 pills with a street value between $79,000 and $159,000.
Deane and Dureivage were charged with participating in a criminal syndicate, fraudulent schemes and artifices, money laundering, forgery and drug charges. The others indicted, who are not named because they have not been served, face forgery and drug charges. If convicted on all charges, Deane and Dureivage could be sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.
“These offenses amounted to a serious abuse of prescription drugs, which is often overlooked problem in Arizona,” Goddard said. “Together with the help of the City of Peoria, the Attorney General’s Office has, with this indictment, shown its commitment to stopping the illegal flow of these drugs.”
"Good law enforcement agencies find partnering with other law enforcement the best way to conduct investigations,” said Chief Larry Ratcliff of the Peoria Police Department.”Our department finds it a great pleasure to partner with the Attorney General's Office and will continue to do so. By coordinating with the AG’s Office, we were able to bring together the investigative skills to handle a complex case and shut down a prescription drug forgery ring whose operation had obtained a large amount of very dangerous and highly addictive drugs.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney Generals James Parker and Steve Duplissis and was investigated by the Peoria Police Department.
A copy of the indictment and photos of the two named defendants are attached. For more information, contact Press Secretary Molly Edwards at (602) 542-8019.