PITTSBURGH – A brazen crime that sent shockwaves through the community has resulted in a guilty plea from one of the perpetrators. Carlos Martinez, 27, of Ambridge, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count of burglarizing a pharmacy before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
The crime took place on September 26-27, 2012, when Martinez and his co-conspirators targeted the Med-Fast pharmacy in Baden, Pa. According to court documents, Martinez conspired with David Best and Katie Adams to break into the pharmacy and steal controlled substances, including oxycodone and oxymorphone.
On the evening of September 26, 2012, Adams allegedly drove Best and Martinez to the pharmacy. Best first broke into the Chinese restaurant next door to the pharmacy, and from there, bore through the wall of the restaurant and into the pharmacy. Once inside the pharmacy, Best allegedly stole the controlled substances.
While Best was inside the pharmacy, Martinez served as a ‘lookout’ outside the pharmacy. Best then left the pharmacy, and Katie Adams, the ‘getaway’ driver, drove Martinez and Best away from the pharmacy. The three persons later split the obtained narcotics amongst themselves.
Katie Adams and David Best have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Martinez’s guilty plea sets the stage for his sentencing, which is scheduled for April 30, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Carlos Martinez.
The guilty plea is a significant development in this case, and it sends a clear message that those who engage in such crimes will be held accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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