MAY 2023:
U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Wakonda man convicted of Theft in Connection with Health Care.
Cody Carstensen, age 47, was sentenced to two years of probation and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Carstensen was also ordered to pay restitution.
The conviction stemmed from incidents between June of 2019 and February of 2022, when Carstensen, who was a registered pharmacist in Scotland, South Dakota, knowingly and willfully embezzled, stole, and converted without authority several drugs valued at more than $100.
Carstensen, in his capacity as pharmacist, received deliveries of controlled substances intended for a hospital and pharmacy. Instead of placing all of the delivered controlled substances in the inventory for the hospital and pharmacy, he stole the substances from several deliveries and used them for his own purposes.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
OCTOBER 2022:
A 46 year old man from Wakonda has been indicted by a federal grand jury for one count of Theft in Connection with Health Care and three counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, Deception, and Subterfuge.
Cody Carstensen pleaded not guilty.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and up to $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Count one of the Indictment alleges that between June 2019 and February 2022, Carstensen knowingly and willfully embezzled, stole, and converted without authority to the use of any person other than the rightful owner hydrocodone, oxymorphone, oxycontin, oxycodone, and morphine valued at more than $100.
Count two of the Indictment alleges that between June 13, 2020, and May 22, 2021, Carstensen knowingly and intentionally acquired and obtained hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge.
Count three of the Indictment alleges that between July 22, 2020, and December 15, 2020, Carstensen knowingly and intentionally acquired and obtained morphine, a Schedule II controlled substance, by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge.
Count four of the Indictment alleges that between April 2, 2020, and December 16, 2021, Carstensen knowingly and intentionally acquired and obtained oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, and subterfuge.
The investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.
Carstensen was released on bond pending trial which has been set for December 13, 2022.
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