81-Year-Old Pharmacist Accused Of Distributing Drugs In Exchange For Sex

An 81-year-old pharmacist has been accused of distributing drugs to at least two women in exchange for sex.

Martin Brian, a Pennsylvania pharmacist who owned the now-defunct Murray-Overhill Pharmacy, has been charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance to a drug-dependent person, the dispensing of a controlled substance in a manner inconsistent with the rules of the medical profession, the criminal use of a communication facility and sexual extortion, reported WCAU.

Police began an investigation on April 18 after receiving an anonymous tip about Murray-Overhill Pharmacy. When the officers went to the scene on the same day, they found two unconscious people parked in the back of the pharmacy, WPVI said in a report.

While officers were trying to identify the two unconscious people in the car, a woman exited from the back of the pharmacy. However, she went back inside after spotting the officers. Shortly after, Brian came out of the pharmacy and asked the officers if everything was fine.

The officers questioned Brian and the women they spotted earlier and got conflicting statements, according to WCAU. Officers then seized the woman's cell phone and executed a search warrant.

On the cell phone, investigators found several text messages between the woman and Brian. According to the police, Brian told the woman how to respond to the officers' questions.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) ran an audit of Brian's pharmacy on April 20 and analyzed his inventory from 2016 to 2021. The agency found discrepancies in the establishment's oxycodone, Xanax and fentanyl inventory. The review also revealed that Brian's pharmacy was one of the largest purchasers of oxycodone and fentanyl in the area.

The DEA interviewed the woman officers saw on April 18. She admitted to getting money and drugs from Brian in exchange for engaging in sexual acts with him weekly, reported WPVI. Officers also found $50,000 cash in one of the drawers in Brian's pharmacy.

During the investigation, another woman confessed to having sex with Brian in exchange for drugs multiple times a week. Based on the woman's statement, she received several bottles of oxycodone from the pharmacist. She later sold the oxycodone back to Brian in exchange for heroin.

"The allegations against Brian that he repeatedly distributed powerful painkillers and other controlled substances in exchange for sexual acts are repulsive and demonstrate Brian's total disregard for his legal and ethical responsibilities as a pharmacist," Thomas Hodnett, acting special agent in charge at the DEA Philadelphia Field Division, said as per WCAU.

The pharmacy stopped operating in June, the police said.

Brian turned himself in Monday and his bond has been set at $250,000.