HARRISBURG, PA — A northwestern Pennsylvania pharmacy technician faces multiple felony charges after allegedly diverting nearly 90,000 prescription opioid pills from a Warren County pharmacy over more than four years, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday.
Alyssa R. McDowell, 34, is accused of taking 80,926 oxycodone pills and 8,744 hydrocodone pills from Sheffield Pharmacy between January 2022 and May 2026.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General alleges that McDowell used her position at the pharmacy to order additional bottles of the controlled substances, which she then allegedly took for herself.
Investigators further allege that McDowell altered pharmacy paperwork in an attempt to conceal the missing medications.
The investigation identified a total of 89,670 prescription pills allegedly diverted during the period.
McDowell was charged with several felony counts of obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, theft by unlawful taking and related misdemeanor offenses.
She surrendered to authorities Tuesday morning and was arraigned. Bail was set at $100,000 unsecured.
Sunday characterized the allegations as a significant diversion of highly addictive prescription medications, citing concerns about the broader opioid crisis.
The Warren County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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