Gate City Pharmacist Sentenced for Tampering with Oxycodone

Press Release

Dillon Breeding Will Serve 24 Months in Federal Prison

ABINGDON, Va. - A Gate City, Virginia pharmacist who tampered with oxycodone and hydromorphone was sentenced last week to 24 months in federal prison.

Dillon West Breeding, 34, pled guilty in June 2024 to one count of tampering with consumer products.

"Ensuring the integrity of our prescription drugs is vital to maintaining the public's confidence in our healthcare system," United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. "When patients go to the pharmacy, they trust the medicines they receive are legitimate, and prosecutions like this one go a long way towards ensuring that trust. I am grateful to the FDA, Virginia Department of Health Professions, Virginia State Police, and the Gate City Police for bringing this important matter forward."

"FDA-OCI remains committed to safeguarding the drug supply chain from individuals who endanger public health and safety by tampering with products," said George Scavdis, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Metropolitan Washington Field Office. "When pharmacists betray their customers' trust by tampering with narcotic medications, they not only risk causing needless suffering from ineffective substitutes but also put lives at risk by introducing potentially harmful substances into the drug supply chain. The foundational work of the Gate City Police Department and our valued partnership with the Virginia State Police were integral to our efforts in safeguarding public health and safety in this case."

According to court documents, Breeding swapped oxycodone tablets with prednisone, a steroid used to treat inflammation, and replaced hydromorphone tablets with leflunomide, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Additionally, Breeding would dispense medication to patients and short them pills, keeping the additional pills for himself.

Because Breeding tampered with these products, a pharmacist could have filled and dispensed the wrong drug to a customer, placing them in danger of death or bodily injury.

The Food and Drug Administration - Office of Inspector General, the Virginia Department of Health Professions, along with the Gate City Police Department and the Virginia State Police, investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Macon prosecuted the case for the United States.

Updated August 26, 2024