Get away driver sentenced in fraudulent prescription scheme


Francisco Rodrigues, who lists a Fayetteville address, and who described his role in attempts to fill fraudulent prescriptions at two local pharmacies as the driver of the “getaway” car who was paid in pills, entered a guilty plea to his role in the crime and was sentenced to four years probation.

The plea change came during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.

In November last year, Mountain Home police were called to a local pharmacy where Rodrigues and a second man were being detained for a suspected attempt to pass a fraudulent prescription for Oxycodone.

The 31-year-old Rodrigues told police at the time of his arrest his only role in the scheme at the two pharmacies was as the driver of the getaway vehicle. Despite his self-proclaimed minor role in passing the fake prescriptions, Rodrigues still had accomplice liability for being involved.

The other man involved in the scheme is apparently in a federal prison.

Rodrigues was sentenced under provisions of Act 346, meaning if he stays out of trouble during his probation period, he can petition the court to have his record sealed.

WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI