Robert James Kohne, Obtaining Possession of a Controlled Substance …

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Robert James Kohne, 24, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, has confessed to a brazen scheme to illegally obtain the powerful painkiller Oxycodone. Kohne pled guilty on October 29, 2014, to Obtaining Possession of a Controlled Substance by Deception, a federal charge under Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(a)(3). The admission brings an end, at least for now, to a case that exposed a vulnerability in the prescription drug supply.

The scheme, uncovered by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, involved presenting a forged prescription to a Walmart pharmacy clerk on or about March 21, 2013. The indictment, handed down in July 2014, detailed how Kohne knowingly and intentionally deceived the pharmacist to secure the Schedule II controlled substance. While the specifics of the false prescription haven’t been released, sources indicate it wasn’t a sophisticated operation – just a calculated risk that briefly paid off.

Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson, built the case as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) of the Eastern District of Oklahoma. OCDETF is a coordinated effort spearheaded by the Office of the United States Attorney, demonstrating a focused approach to dismantling drug-related criminal enterprises. This wasn’t a lone act, but a piece of a larger puzzle the feds are trying to solve.

Magistrate Judge Kimberly E. West accepted Kohne’s guilty plea in Muskogee and ordered a presentence investigation report. This report will delve into Kohne’s background, criminal history, and other relevant factors to inform the judge’s sentencing decision. Until then, Kohne remains in the custody of the United States Marshal Service, cooling his heels and awaiting his fate.

Kohne now faces a potential sentence of up to 4 years behind bars, along with a hefty fine of up to $250,000.00. The judge will consider the presentence report and sentencing guidelines before determining the final punishment. This case serves as a stark reminder that attempting to manipulate the system for illicit drug access carries serious consequences.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves toward sentencing. The Eastern District of Oklahoma is seeing a surge in prescription drug-related crimes, and federal authorities are clearly sending a message: those who exploit the system to feed their habits – or profit from the misery of others – will be held accountable.