16-095 Detectives Arrest 23 Suspects During “Operation Script Rip”, Additional Arrests Expected
Narcotics Operation
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Narcotics Division
What:
Detectives arrested 23 suspects during “Operation Script Rip” that targeted a group responsible for filling approximately 417 fraudulent prescriptions at local pharmacies in Pinellas County. An additional 18 suspects are still being sought with more than 200 criminal charges.
When:
“Operation Script Rip” began in August 2015 and is ongoing.
Where:
The fraudulent prescriptions were being called and faxed in from the Medical Home Doctors LLC located at 2198 15th Avenue South in St. Petersburg.
The prescriptions were filled at various pharmacies in Pinellas County.
Why/How:
Detectives arrested 23 suspects during “Operation Script Rip” that targeted a group responsible for filling approximately 417 fraudulent prescriptions at local pharmacies in Pinellas County. An additional 18 suspects are still being sought with more than 200 criminal charges.
The investigation began in August 2015, when narcotics detectives received information that 35-year-old Rakiah Darden was providing fraudulent prescriptions for Xanax to associates of hers.
During the course of the investigation, detectives determined that Rakiah worked as a medical office assistant at Medical Home Doctors LLC located in St. Petersburg. During her employment there, Rakiah had complete access to the computer, fax machine, and the telephone in Dr. Jonadab Uzoho’s office.
Through various investigative techniques, detectives determined that Rakiah was calling in and faxing fraudulent prescriptions to local pharmacies under the doctor’s name without the doctor’s knowledge.
Detectives say that Rakiah’s brother, 26-year-old Rory Darden and three other criminal associates, 33-year-old Stephen Ford, 30-year-old Olympia Hines, and 23-year-old Fitzgerald Wright; recruited “runners” that went to the local pharmacies to pick up the Xanax prescriptions. Each prescription contained approximately 90, 2mg tablets.
After receiving the Xanax through fraudulent means, the “runners” returned the Xanax to Rakiah and her associates for cash or drugs. Rakiah and her associates then sold the Xanax illegally on the street.
Detectives estimate that Rakiah and her associates obtained approximately 37,410 total pills of Xanax, with an estimated street value of $5 a pill, totaling approximately $187,050 dollars.
The suspects arrested during “Operation Script Rip” are listed below with their charges. They were all transported to the Pinellas County Jail. Additional arrests are forthcoming.
The video of the press conference can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrB6cBfQmCY
The investigation continues.
Rakiah F. Darden
DOB: 9/17/1980
Address: 13435 Adams Circle, Apartment B265, Largo
Charges: 19 counts- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud, 1 count- Conspiracy to Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud, 1 count- Scheme to Defraud, 1 count of Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device
Rory W. Darden
DOB: 7/19/1989
Address: 4761 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg
Charges: 10 counts- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud, 1 count- Scheme to Defraud, 1 count- Conspiracy to Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud, 1 count- Possession of Marijuana
Anthony R. Clark
DOB: 6/4/92
Address: 7524 41st Street Avenue North, St. Petersburg
Charges: 1 count- Obtain Controlled Substance by Fraud, 1 count Uttering Forged Instrument
Shayla S. Coleman
DOB: 10/24/1988
Address: 1700 18th Street South, St. Petersburg
Charges: 1 count- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud
Shaniqua K. Milner
DOB: 5/13/1986
Address: 4761 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg
Charges: 8 counts- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud, 1 count- Scheme to Defraud
Avery B. McFadden
DOB: 7/17/1992
Address: 6812 50th Avenue N., St. Petersburg
Charges: 1 count- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud, 1 count- Uttering Forged Instrument
Olympia A. Hines
DOB: 6/21/1985
Address: 3427 39th Land South, St. Petersburg
Charges: 9 counts- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud, 1 count- Conspiracy to Obtain Alprazolam by fraud, 1 count- Scheme to Defraud
Bianca S. Stanard
DOB: 3/12/1991
Address: 2100 40th Street South, Apartment #4, St. Petersburg
Charges: 4 counts- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud, 1 count- Uttering Forged Instrument, 1 count- Scheme to Defraud
Damarius S. Thompson
DOB: 8/13/1992
Address: 2705 36th Avenue, St. Petersburg
Charges: 3 counts- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud, 1 count- Scheme to Defraud
Matthew Buchner
DOB: 3/15/1992
Address: 6744 36th Avenue N, St. Petersburg
Charges: 5 counts-Obtain Controlled Substance by Fraud, 1 count- Uttering a Forged Instrument, 1 count- Scheme to Defraud.
LaQuita J. Glenn
DOB: 9/2/1990
Address: 4725 One Half 15th Avenue South, St. Petersburg
Charges: 1 count- Obtain Controlled Substance by Fraud
Austin J. Harrison
DOB: 11/9/1990
Address: 1759 26th Avenue North, St. Petersburg
Charges: 1 count- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud
Acacia R. Hazley
DOB: 5/13/91
Address: 1102 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg
Charges: 5 counts- Obtain a Controlled Substance by Fraud, 1 count- Uttering Forged Instrument, 1 count- Scheme to Defraud
William J. Lane
DOB: 8/10/1962
Address: 6290 62nd Way, Pinellas Park
Charges: 1 count- Obtain a Controlled Substance by Fraud
Crystal N. Lightner
DOB: 4/9/1982
Address: 4710 25th Avenue South, St. Petersburg
Charges: 4 counts- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud, 1 count- Scheme to Defraud, 1 count- Vilation of Probation (Possession of Marijuana)
Rebecca L. Meyer
DOB: 1/7/93
Address: 1671 67 Street North, Apartment #332, St. Petersburg
Charges: 2 counts- Obtaining a Controlled Substance
Jasmine N. Mims
DOB: 12/11/1993
Address: 2619 59th Avenue South, St. Petersburg
Charges: 1 count- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud
Holly M. Palm
DOB: 12/19/91
Address: 12100 Seminole Boulevard, Lot # 389, Largo
Charges: 2 counts- Obtain a Controlled Substance by Fraud, 1 count- Possession of Alprazolam, 1 count- Possession of Marijuana, 1 count- Disorderly Intoxication
Jordan Phillips
DOB: 9/29/1990
Address: 2515 4th Avenue South, St. Petersburg
Charges: 1 count- Obtaining a Controlled Substance, 1 count- Uttering a Check with Forged Endorsement
Novia M. Rojas
DOB: 12/10/1989
Address: 4109 Haines Road North, St. Petersburg
Charges: 1 count- Obtain Controlled Substance by Fraud, 1 count- Uttering a Forged Instrument
Donald J. Vinson-
DOB: 2/2/1994
Address: 226 SSW Lincoln Circle, St. Petersburg
Charges: 2 counts- Obtaining a Controlled Substance, 1 count- Uttering a Forged Instrument
Alexander T. Vo
DOB: 12/16/1992
Address: 5590 90th Avenue North, Pinellas Park
Charges: 2 counts- Obtain Controlled Substance by Fraud
Arika R. Walker
DOB: 1/8/1983
Address: 5014 68th Way North, Apartment #2101, St. Petersburg
Charges: 1 count- Obtain Alprazolam by Fraud
