Alleged prescription drug scammers plead not guilty

Published 9:11 am Friday, May 11, 2012

Two Austin men pleaded not guilty Thursday to all charges in their alleged involvement in a prescription drug scam.

Juan Irlas, 39, pleaded not guilty to fifth-degree drug possession, and Anthony Ledoux, 29, pleaded not guilty to fifth-degree attempt to procure drugs, one count of gross misdemeanor controlled substance DWI and driving after revocation.

Police arrested Irlas and Ledoux after Irlas allegedly provided pharmacists at the Austin Walgreens with a fake prescription for Hydrocodone, a pain killer. According to the court complaint, the pharmacist became suspicious as Irlas tried to provide 12 refills of the prescription but the maximum is five. Furthermore, Hydrocodone requires a DEA approval on the prescription, which there was none. The pharmacist called police, who recognized Irlas. Police called the doctor on the prescription who said Irlas attempted the same thing in Albert Lea earlier that day, according to the complaint.

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Police later went to Walgreens where Ledoux allegedly picked up the prescription. According to the complaint, police blocked his vehicle while at the pickup window and arrested him. An officer noticed Ledoux spoke rapidly, was shaky and seemed nervous. Ledoux said he was picking the prescription up for his cousin. In the squad car, he also told officers ā€œIā€™m not a druggie,ā€ and he hastily refused to have officers retrieve his cell phone and said to leave it in the vehicle, the complaint states. An officer then allegedly saw an incoming message on that phone from a person in regards to the prescription drugs.

Police later arrested Irlas, who said he did not send Ledoux to pick up the prescription. At the law enforcement center, Ledoux admitted to officers that he takes 20 mg of Oxycontin every eight hours, 5 mg of Oxycodone every six hours and 10 mg of Adderall once or twice daily, according to the complaint. It also states that Irlas admitted to obtaining Amlodipine and Buproprion but realized he needed a prescription for the Hydrocodone. He also admitted to being in Albert Lea, as well.

Both Irlas and Ledoux have pretrials set for July 13.