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| Judge gives drug prescription forger 32-64 months in prison |
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A 21-year-old man was sentenced to 32 to 64 months in prison Friday for his part in a prescription drug forgery ring in Northampton and Bucks counties.
The sentence against James Bruneio Jr. brought swearing and screams of protest from some of the dozen family members who had turned out in support. ''I appreciate what the system does,'' James Bruneio Sr. of Hamilton Township, Monroe County, yelled sarcastically to Northampton County Judge William Moran. ''Thanks, judge.'' His son's public defender said he will appeal the decision. Bruneio Jr., whose last address was Northampton County Prison, was among 15 charged in Operation Bad Scripts, in which state prosecutors broke up a ring that from October 2007 to January used false prescriptions to obtain the powerful painkiller Percocet. Bruneio pleaded guilty last month to felony counts of acquiring a controlled substance through fraud and to being a member of a corrupt organization. He admitted that he helped introduce alleged ringleader Melinda Miller, 26, of Upper Mount Bethel Township to others who helped fill false prescriptions. Bruneio's sentence compares to the probation that others involved in the ring have received from Moran. The judge told the family he regretted the need for a hefty sentence against Bruneio, but said a message needs to be sent against drug dealing. Moran noted that Bruneio had a greater role than most of those accused in the cases. While Bruneio was obviously driven to his crimes by a heroin addiction, that is no excuse, the judge said. ''The severity may appear harsh to your family and you, but it is not,'' Moran told Bruneio. ''It is appropriate to you and your needs.'' Defense attorney Timothy Prendergast wanted a mitigated sentence, citing Bruneio's family support network, his drug addiction, and his willingness to testify against Miller, a former dentist's office receptionist who faces trial Oct. 6 on 59 drug-related charges. Afterward, Prendergast said he will file a motion for reconsideration of the sentence. ''I'm shocked,'' he said. ''I'm absolutely shocked.'' On Friday, Bruneio also pleaded guilty to a possession of heroin charge in a Sept. 13, 2007, traffic stop by Wilson police. Moran gave him probation on that charge. As part of Operation Bad Scripts sentence, Moran ordered Bruneio to serve his time at a prison that can provide the necessary drug treatment and care for bipolar disorder, which he also suffers from. The two sentencings came not long after Moran accepted guilty pleas from two others arrested as part of the ring. Keith Jumper, 19, of 515 Royal Manor Road in Williams Township, pleaded guilty to a felony of acquiring a controlled substance through fraud and was given nine months' probation. Stefanie Gresiak, 44, of 2655 Eldridge Ave. in Palmer Township, also pleaded guilty to acquiring a controlled substance through fraud. Moran postponed sentencing to allow Gresiak to apply to the state intermediate punishment program, which offers low-level criminals with drug addictions a chance for treatment.  Add as favourites (200) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 1050
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