HARRISBURG — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Shannon Marie Lengal, age 46, of Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with acquiring controlled substances by forgery and deception.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the criminal information alleges that from March 2011 to March 2016, Lengal forged a physician’s signature on prescriptions for hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. Lengal then presented the prescriptions to a pharmacy for filling.

 

The criminal information was filed pursuant to a plea agreement, which is subject to approval by the court, wherein it is indicated that Lengal intends to plead guilty to the charges when she appears in federal court for her arraignment.

 

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph J. Terz is prosecuting the case.

 

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

 

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

 

The maximum penalty under federal law is four years’ imprisonment, a term of three years’ supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

 

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