UNM pharmacy student Paul DeSantis faces up to 20 years in jail after being charged with possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and possession of firearms.
Steven Peterson, UNM School of Pharmacy professor and assistant dean of Professional Curriculum, said no one noticed strange behavior from DeSantis during his time at the school.
“He was a smart kid, highly motivated and from a good, goal-oriented family. His dad was an alum from late 60s,” he said. “Everything was just fine. He was a good student and worked hard.”
A court complaint filed by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gonzales cites a “cooperating source” as the informant of the case.
“DeSantis had stolen a ream of secure prescription paper and had a printer that would print forged prescriptions that were identical to authentic ones,” court documents quoted the source as saying. “DeSantis carried an H&K semi auto pistol in a Louis Vuitton male purse while conducting his drug transactions and refers to his firearm as a ‘cop killer.’”
According to court records, DeSantis contacted the source June 23 and requested that he fill a fraudulent prescription.
“Surveillance units saw DeSantis leave his house carrying a light shade of blue piece of paper, which was identical to the stolen secure prescription paper and a brown purse,” the report reads.
Agents observed trips to two Walgreens to fill the prescription, because the first Walgreens did not have adequate supply of oxycodone, Gonzales said.
“Police met him at his house, turned on their lights and attempted to block him while he was still in his car,” he said. “He backed up and attempted to flee but was stopped and arrested without further incident.”
In DeSantis’ residence, agents said they found drug ledgers, stolen prescriptions from UNMH and an AR-15 firearm with a loaded cartridge.
Jason Bowles, DeSantis’ lawyer, said his client did not attempt to flee the scene.
“Mr. DeSantis’ vehicle was stopped at a stop sign in front of his house when the officers in unmarked cars attempted to move in and prevent Mr. DeSantis from moving forward,” he said. “The cars had lights on but nothing to indicate they were police vehicles. Mr. DeSantis has no criminal history and moved forward between two cars but did not accelerate as if trying to flee. In fact, they were right at his house.”
Bowles said his client immediately stopped when a DEA agent ran out and knocked on his window, and the weapon possession charges are irrelevant to his case.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
“He had just purchased the handgun approximately three weeks prior and it had never been fired. He had planned to go to Calibers later that day to practice firing it,” he said. “The agent had no information that either the handgun or rifle were illegally possessed. In fact, they were both purchased legally.”
Many of the facts presented to the court are insubstantial, Bowles said, and DeSantis’ ability to continue his business would be very difficult, since he is no longer employed at UNMH.
“Much of the government’s presentation at the hearing below was based upon hearsay statements of a confidential informant who did not testify and was not subject to cross examination,” Bowles said. “The facts stated by the government may or may not pan out at a trial.”
UNM Pharmacy professors make an effort to stress the dangers that accompany the profession, Peterson said.
He said faculty are always disappointed when a student is accused of ignoring their warnings.
“We teach them what the laws are, what the ethics are. We certainly teach them how alluring drugs can be and let them know early and often that (drugs) are huge risks in working in this field,” he said. “Thankfully this sort of thing is rare, but I am always surprised when it does happen.”
