3 years' probation for former pharmacist

Former Harrisburg pharmacist Larry Steven Patton, 64, of Marion, was sentenced Wednesday to probation on a charge of illegal dispensation of a controlled substance, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Stephen R. Wigginton.

The United States District Court in Benton sentenced Patton to probation for three years, a fine of $3,000 and a special assessment of $100. The court also ordered Patton to perform 25 hours of public service.

Court records indicate that at relevant times, Patton was an owner and a pharmacist of Medicap Pharmacy in Harrisburg. As a licensed pharmacist, Patton was a registrant authorized to dispense controlled substances. Patton admitted to knowingly and intentionally dispensing unlawfully four pills, each having two milligrams of Xanax, a Schedule IV controlled substance to another person requesting the medication, on July 12, 2012, at the Medicap Pharmacy in Harrisburg. Patton admitted that this dispensation was outside the scope of his professional practice and not for a medical purpose under a valid prescription, according to the release.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Illinois State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.