Burglar to serve more than 5 years for drug thefts

Published 11:07 pm Friday, July 6, 2007

SEATTLE – A Marysville man was sentenced to nearly 5 1/2 years in federal prison in connection with a scheme to burglarize pharmacies in four states and to sell stolen prescription narcotics.

Kenneth D. Graham, 28, also must repay pharmacies $118,000 for damage and stolen drugs, according to the order of Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik.

In February, Graham pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy and selling the narcotic painkiller oxycodone.

Graham admitted joining with several other Snohomish County people in the burglary ring. More than 50 pharmacies in the Northwest and California were hit, according to court documents.

In his guilty plea, Graham admitted playing a major role in at least seven of the burglaries, including one in Monroe.

Typically, the burglaries were committed at night or in the early-morning hours. Usually, telephone lines were cut to prevent alarms from alerting police. Various narcotic prescription drugs were taken.

The drugs were distributed to a large number of individuals through an established network in Snohomish County, documents said.

Three other Snohomish County men have been sentenced in connection with the scheme. A total of 12 people have pleaded guilty.

Numerous state and federal police agencies were involved in the investigation, including the Marysville Police Department.