JURY CONVICTS PHARMACIST WHO SUPPLIED DRUG RING

BRUNSWICK -- A McIntosh County pharmacist Wednesday was convicted of
illegally distributing prescription painkillers in an illicit network that
federal prosecutors said extended from Brunswick to Savannah.

James Shaw Larson, 58, of Townsend was found guilty of distributing a total
of 2,500 tablets of hydrocodone bitartrate APAP, commonly known by the
brand names Vicodin and Lorcet on Aug. 20 and 30 in McIntosh and Liberty
counties.

Larson also was found guilty of distributing 100 Dilaudid tablets on Aug.
28 in the two counties.

A federal jury in Brunswick deliberated about two hours before convicting
Larson of three counts of illegal distribution of a controlled substance.

Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony A. Alaimo immediately ordered Larson
jailed without bail pending future court proceedings. No sentencing date
has been set.

Larson had been free on $20,000 bond since his arrest Sept. 6 by U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration investigators.

Under federal law, each of the two hydrocodone counts is punishable by up
to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The single Dilaudid count
carries a maximum of a 20-year prison term and $1 million fine, the law states.

Larson, who also faces loss of his state pharmacist license, didn't testify
during his trial that began Tuesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Newman, in his closing statement, told
jurors that Larson was the ringleader of a distribution network based at
his home and tiny pharmacy, Harbor Drugs in Eulonia.

The DEA investigation revealed that Larson recruited and relied on career
drug trafficker Henry Mobley, 69, of Brunswick, to funnel the painkillers
to a Chatham County woman who then distributed the drugs to street dealers
and addicts in the Savannah area, Newman said.

"Larson distributed drugs illegally to make huge profits ... Greed equals
guilt," said Newman, noting that Larson bought the drugs from legitimate
pharmaceutical wholesalers for pennies per pill then sold them to Mobley
for several dollars each.

Those tablets then would sell for at least $5 each on the street, testified
Mary Ann Chance, also a convicted drug offender who was recruited by Mobley
into the operation.

Newman also replayed for jurors tape recordings made secretly by Mobley --
who became a DEA informant in the case -- of his discussions with Larson
about the illegal drug sales.

On an Aug. 30 recording, Larson sounded surprised but pleased when Mobley
said he had money for Larson because Chance had sold all the Dilaudid that
Mobley had received from Larson.

"That's the best news I've heard," responded Larson on the tape recording.

Newman then reminded jurors that testimony from four pharmaceutical company
officials showed a pattern of relatively large purchases by Larson of
hydrocodone, Dilaudid and other prescription painkillers during the period
surrounding the illegal drug sales by Mobley and Chance.

He also said that $200 given by the DEA to Mobley to pay Larson for the
drugs was recovered by authorities inside Larson's home and wallet.

But defense attorney Randy Clark argued that Larson was falsely accused,
and had been set up for arrest by Mobley. Clark claimed Mobley lied to
authorities to escape a lengthy prison sentence in the case.