PACE, Fla. — Three individuals, including two pharmacists and a pharmacy office manager, were arrested today following a multi-year investigation into a major prescription drug trafficking operation. The suspects, identified as Stephen Allen Burklow, 54, David Barron Winkles, 69, and Monique Burklow, 58, face a range of charges after allegedly conspiring to distribute large quantities of prescription drugs through Pace Pharmacy LLC.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested the trio after they were implicated in trafficking over 22 kilograms (48 pounds) of oxycodone, over 26 kilograms (57 pounds) of hydrocodone, and nearly one kilogram of hydromorphone. The Burklows are the owners of Pace Pharmacy, while Winkles was employed as a pharmacist at the establishment.
This arrest follows a lengthy investigation by FDLE in collaboration with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and several other federal and state agencies, including the DEA, FDA, HSI, and the Florida Department of Health. The investigation, which began in December 2020, uncovered that Pace Pharmacy, under the Burklows’ direction, was involved in dispensing prescriptions for controlled substances outside of legitimate medical purposes.
FDLE agents found that the Burklows and Winkles were accepting and filling illicit prescriptions from a local obstetrician-gynecologist, Dr. Elaine Sharp. These prescriptions were for large quantities of opioids and other controlled substances, which were dispensed under the guise of legitimate medical treatment. Additionally, Stephen Burklow is accused of using various physicians’ National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers without consent to bill insurance companies for these fraudulent prescriptions.
The charges against the suspects include conspiracy to traffic drugs, conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, healthcare fraud, and identity theft. Stephen Burklow faces the most serious charges, including multiple counts of conspiracy to traffic oxycodone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone.
The arrests were made without incident, and the suspects were booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail. The cases will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit.
FDLE’s Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams praised the team effort in bringing those involved in the opioid epidemic to justice. “There is no room for criminals who profit from the opioid crisis,” Williams said. Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson echoed this sentiment, adding that these arrests send a clear message that no one is above the law, even those in positions of trust.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with additional information related to the case to come forward.
