A Bessemer man who weaponized his position at a central Alabama pharmacy has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for tampering with opioid painkillers intended for terminally ill patients. Johnathon William Click, 30, admitted to siphoning morphine and hydromorphone from vials, diluting them with saline, and returning them to inventory—knowing the weakened doses would be administered to cancer patients in agonizing pain.
U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor handed down the sentence after Click pleaded guilty in November to one count of tampering with consumer products in reckless disregard for the risk of death or bodily injury. The crime unfolded between December 2014 and September 2016, while Click worked as the lead technician at Birmingham-based ContinuumRx of Central Alabama, a compounding pharmacy specializing in IV bags for hospice and homecare patients.
Click, who had near-total control over the preparation of IV pain solutions, exploited his access to systematically steal opioids to feed his own addiction. According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, he removed vials from locked inventory, extracted potent doses with a syringe, and replaced them with sterile water—then funneled the adulterated vials back into the supply chain. The tampered IV bags were shipped to patients who relied on them for relief during their final days.
“Johnathon Click knew he was inflicting untold pain and suffering on terminally ill cancer patients, yet for two years he diluted their medication and took the opioid drugs for himself,” said U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town. “Mr. Click is going to prison for his crime, and he will be joined shortly by those like him.”
Federal agencies involved in the investigation—including the DEA and FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations—emphasized the betrayal of trust at the heart of the crime. “Patients deserve to have confidence that they are receiving the proper treatment from those entrusted with providing their medical care,” said FDA Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Kuehl. “That’s why we must hold medical personnel accountable when they take advantage of their unique position.”
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bret Hamilton called the case a warning to others in the medical field: “DEA is committed to investigating and bringing to justice those who divert prescription drugs. The sentencing of this pharmacy technician should send a clear message… we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.” The government described Click’s actions as manifesting “extreme indifference” to human suffering, calling the crime one that “shocks the conscience.”
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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