Joshua Vants Harris, age 21 of Melbourne was September 18 and later charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, a class “d” felony; and possession of hydroquinone with the purpose to deliver, a class “a’ felony.

According to Sheriff Tate Lawrence, Harris presented a prescription for 80 hydrocodone pills and a steroid to an employee of a Melbourne pharmacy.  The employee noticed that the prescription appeared to be alerted, contacted the medical professional who had written the prescription and confirmed that the prescription had been written for 20 such pills.

The prescription as presented was filled by the pharmacy and Harris paid for the prescription and took it out of the pharmacy where he was immediately arrested by Izard County Deputy Mark Simino who seized the pills and transported Harris to the Izard County Detention Facility.

During an interview with  an investigator of the 16^th Judicial District Drug Task Force and Chief Investigator Charles Melton of the Izard County Sheriff’s Department, Harris admitted that he knew the prescription had been altered.

Sheriff Lawrence said that Harris remains in the Izard County Detention Facility in lieu of a $5,000 bond.

News Release

For Immediate Release

September 24, 2012

POC: Sheriff Tate Lawrence

870 368 4203