Stedman pharmacist charged with prescription fraud

Cumberland County Bureau of Narcotics agents arrested a Stedman pharmacist on Monday on charges of prescription fraud, authorities said.

John Richard White, 73, of 2503 Woodwind Drive in Fayetteville, was charged with 25 counts of identification theft, 19 counts of obtaining a prescription drug by fraud and six counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. He was released after posting a $125,000 bond.

Investigators said White, who worked at a Food Lion pharmacy, allegedly assumed the Drug Enforcement Administration identifications of a military doctor and a civilian obstetrician/gynecologist. Between 2011 and 2012, they said, he ordered prescriptions for Androgel, a testosterone enhancement, under his name, as well as thyroid and estrogen medications for his wife.