MINEOLA, NY – A Valley Stream man has been charged with using doctors’ prescription pads to illegally obtain oxycodone and morphine from multiple Nassau County pharmacies, the County Attorney’s Office said. Nassau.

James Cosentino, 29, was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned Thursday on multiple counts, including felonies: eight counts of second-degree criminal possession of a counterfeit instrument and eight counts of third-degree criminal possession of a a controlled substance.

“This defendant allegedly, on multiple occasions, used false prescriptions to obtain large quantities of opioids, including oxycodone and morphine, from Nassau County pharmacies,” DA Anne Donnelly said. “Time and time again, Cosentino allegedly used these fake prescription pads – stolen from doctors’ offices – to get their hands on thousands of pills. We will continue to fight the scourge of opioids in our county and prosecute those who prolong the lives of this epidemic in our communities.

According to the charges, Cosentino acquired prescription pads that were stolen from doctors’ offices in Inwood and Valley Stream.

DA Donnelly said the charges allege Cosentino acquired prescription pads stolen from doctors’ offices in Inwood and Valley Stream. Between December 2021 and approximately April 2022, the accused allegedly visited several Nassau County pharmacies, on numerous occasions, and gave the pharmacies fake prescriptions for drugs such as oxycodone and morphine.

From December 2021 to April 2022, Cosentino received more than 1,700 pills, according to the DA statement.

He is due back in court on August 3. If convicted on the main charge, Cosentino faces a potential maximum of nine years in prison, according to the DA.