Berea Pharmacist Lonnie Hubbard Convicted of Pill & Pseudoephedrine Ring

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Berea pharmacist Lonnie Hubbard, 41, has been convicted by a federal jury of 71 counts, including drug and money laundering charges, for his role in an illegal prescription pill and pseudoephedrine distribution ring.

The jury reached a verdict after approximately three hours of deliberation, following an eight-day trial. Hubbard, owner of RX Discount Pharmacy in Berea, was found guilty of dispensing controlled substances without medical purpose, selling pseudoephedrine, maintaining a drug-related premise, and multiple counts of money laundering and conspiracy.

“This case sends a strong message to medical professionals: failure to exercise reasonable professional judgment will not be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier, IV. “Mr. Hubbard’s actions resulted in the availability of an enormous amount of prescription pain pills and methamphetamine precursors for illicit purposes.”

Evidence presented at trial revealed that Hubbard sold prescription pain pills and pseudoephedrine to addicts and drug traffickers from various counties in Kentucky. He also filled prescriptions from clinics in Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, and Georgia at exorbitant prices. Hubbard’s pharmacy was the top retailer of pseudoephedrine in Kentucky between 2013 and 2015.

Hubbard made approximately $2.2 million in cash from illegal drug sales, which he used to purchase properties, a boat, and luxury vehicles. His wife, Meggan Hubbard, received a five-month sentence for her involvement in property purchases derived from unlawful sales. Three other co-defendants have pleaded guilty.

Hubbard is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6th and faces a maximum of sixty years in prison. The investigation was conducted by the DEA, IRS, USDA, Kentucky Board of Pharmacy, Inspector General for the Cabinet of Health and Family Services, Berea Police Department, Mt. Vernon Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Appalachian HIDTA.