2 Painesville residents accused of illegally copying and filling Adderall prescriptions

Two Painesville residents were arrested Monday on charges of copying doctors’ prescriptions and using them to obtain drugs from area pharmacies.

James Omersa, 42, and Caroline Bower, 51, are accused of obtaining legitimate prescriptions from area doctors, making copies and then filling them at multiple pharmacies, said Sgt. Chris Begley with the Lake County Narcotics Agency.

Police began the investigation after getting a call from a pharmacy, after it tried to confirm if one of the prescriptions was legitimate, Begley said.

The pharmacy also became suspicious after filling so many prescriptions, he added.

After an investigation, police determined that Omersa and Bower obtained legitimate prescriptions for Adderall, but then would make copies of them at the Print Shack, which Omersa owned, on East Avenue in Mentor, Begley said.

Adderall is a stimulant that is often used to treat symptoms associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Begley also said the copies were of high quality, even the signatures.

“Nothing looked out of the ordinary,” he said.

Omersa was charged with deception to obtain dangerous drugs and Bower with illegal possession of drug documents, both felonies.

The documents charge carries a maximum of 18 months in jail and the deception charge a maximum of five years in jail, Begley said.

According to court records, Bower was charged with deception to obtain dangerous drugs in 2009, but pleaded guilty to attempt of deception to obtain dangerous drugs.

Both were arraigned Tuesday in Mentor Municipal Court and released on personal bonds. They are next scheduled to appear in court on August 23.

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Posted: 08/14/2012 Channel 5 Cleveland