Local

Leader of painkiller distribution ring sentenced to 6 years

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

SEATTLE — The leader of a prescription forgery ring that distributed hundreds of thousands of oxycodone pills was sentenced to 76 months in prison.

U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes says Anthony Ballenger pleaded guilty in March to computer hacking, identity theft and conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

Prosecutors say Ballenger was the leader of a sophisticated ring that stole identity information from medical professionals to forge prescriptions for painkillers.

In order to trick pharmacies into filling the fake prescriptions, Ballenger accessed online databases and altered contact information for the medical professionals to divert any questions from the pharmacies to Ballenger.

TRENDING NOW:

·        Bill Cosby's wife releases fiery statement after trial. Read it here.

·        Couple trapped in London fire spent final moments calling parents

·        Unseen photos of Mt. St. Helens eruption discovered in forgotten camera at Goodwill. (See them here)

·        VIDEO: Coconut Oil Isn't Actually Good For You, The American Heart Association Says

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

After obtaining thousands of pills, he sold them throughout the Puget Sound area.

Once Ballenger serves his six-plus year sentence, he'll serve five years on supervised release.