Mary Aronson, Oxycodone Sales to Informant, Colorado 2024

Lyons, Colorado pharmacist Mary Aronson is headed to federal prison after admitting to selling oxycodone and amphetamine pills directly to a confidential informant over a 19-month period. Aronson, the owner and operator of St. Vrain Pharmacy, was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison followed by 6 months of home detention and 5 years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn and DEA Denver Division Special Agent in Charge William T. McDemott.

The sentence, handed down by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Philip Brimmer, includes the forfeiture of $20,000 and a groundbreaking $55,000 in community restitution — the first such payment ordered in the District of Colorado and among the first nationally in a case of this nature. The funds will be directed to Colorado Department of Public Safety victim assistance programs, specifically earmarked for substance abuse treatment under federal guidelines.

Court documents reveal Aronson sold OxyContin for $1 per pill and conducted multiple controlled transactions with law enforcement. On December 5, 2017, she accepted $50 from an informant and handed over 20 oxycodone (10mg) pills and 20 amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (20mg) pills — all without a prescription. Two additional controlled buys occurred on January 19 and February 13, 2018, all audio-recorded and used as key evidence in the prosecution.

Even more damning, Aronson provided the informant with four blank prescription forms and personally instructed her on how to forge prescriptions. According to transcripts, Aronson told the informant, “don’t worry, the doctor is dead and will never find out,” a chilling admission of exploitation and disregard for patient safety and federal law.

“Prescription opioid abuse continues to be an epidemic that is ravaging our state,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “That’s why we not only seek prison terms for those who choose to violate the law, but we will now begin seeking restitution payments where appropriate to address the public harm being caused to communities.”

“The DEA will continue to investigate registrants who cause harm to the public and fuel the opioid epidemic,” added DEA Denver’s William T. McDemott. “This case shows the opioid epidemic is being fought at all levels to include professionals in a position of trust.” The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Boulder County Drug Task Force, with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Suneeta Hazra, Garreth Winstead, and Tonya Andrews. Case No: 18-cr-475.

Related Federal Cases