Burnsville Pharmacist Pleads Guilty To Stealing Narcotics

ST. PAUL (AP) — A former pharmacist in Burnsville has pleaded guilty to stealing tens of thousands of doses of prescription painkillers over two years.

The U.S. Attorney's office says 37-year-old Anissa Shores pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

Shores worked at the Fairview Pharmacy next to Fairview Ridges Hospital.

According to the charges, Shores began stealing from the pharmacy in 2011, taking oxycodone and other prescription painkillers as well as a non-prescription pain reliever.

Authorities allege the total number of doses reached 67,000, with a street value of more than $500,000.

Shores' attorney, Ryan Garry, says her employer discovered the thefts in spring 2013 and fired her. He says after Shores was caught, she enrolled in a treatment program and completed it.