Lawmakers Fail to Keep Felon Pharmacist in Prison

This past May, we covered the story of how members of Congress and victims had banded together to prevent former Kansas City pharmacist Robert Courtney’s move from prison to home confinement. 

Courtney pleaded guilty in 2002 to diluting prescription medications of 4200 patients. As many as 98 000 prescriptions were affected. Numerous patients died because of ineffective diluted medication. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his crimes. Since then, over 200 civil cases have also been filed against him. 

In Spring 2024, victims’ families began receiving notices that Courtney was to be released from prison to a halfway house, and that he would be released completely in May 2026, several years early from his original sentence. Victims and lawmakers launched a campaign to stop the early release of Courtney. The campaign was led by 2 Missouri congressmen, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Sam Graves (R-MO) who opposed Courtney’s release and called for him to serve his full sentence.

In 2020, Courtney’s request for early release was quashed after victims and lawmakers protested, but they did not have the same success in 2024. Courtney was held an extra month, but ultimately was released from federal prison in summer 2024 to either home confinement or a halfway house, where he must remain until May 2026. Details of his location are being kept private for his safety.

A Kansas City TV station has released a documentary about Robert Courtney detailing the case, how he was caught, and the fallout resulting from his actions and early release. 

While it could be challenging, it is still possible for prosecutors in Missouri to charge Courtney with murder, as there is no statute of limitations for such charges.

References
Ricono A, Fahrlander C,Peak B. DILUTED: A documentary on the release of convicted pharmacist Robert Courtney. July 21, 2024. Accessed September 12, 2024. https://www.kctv5.com/2024/07/21/diluted-documentary-release-convicted-pharmacist-robert-courtney/

Latner A. Lawmakers and Victims Fight to Keep Felon Pharmacist in Prison.May 31, 2024. Accessed September 12, 2024. https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/pln/commentary/lawmakers-and-victims-fight-keep-felon-pharmacist-prison

Wikipedia. Robert Courtney (fraudster). Accessed September 12, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Courtney_(fraudster)