Pharmacy Technician Pleads Guilty to Drug Thefts

A former pharmacy technician at a health center on the Passamaquoddy Tribe's Pleasant Point reservation has pleaded guilty to stealing prescription painkillers from the facility then shredding records to hide her crimes.

Tonia Smith, of Perry, also pleaded guilty in federal court in Bangor to food stamp fraud.

The 42-year-old Smith faces up to four years in prison on the drug charge, and up to five years in prison on the food stamp fraud charge. Her sentencing date has not been scheduled.

Prosecutors say Smith used her position as a pharmacy technician at the Indian Health Service Center last year to steal hydrocodone.

In addition, Smith bought EBT cards from food stamp recipients for amounts less than the credit assigned to each card, then used the cards to make unauthorized purchases.