School Administrator Accused of Stealing Prescription Drugs from Nurse’s Office
A Gloucester County middle school administrator is facing charges for stealing students’ prescription drugs from his school’s nurses office for his personal use. According to a news report, Philip Bevilaqua, a vice principal at the Gateway Regional Middle School in Woodbury Heights, specifically stole drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall – medication that is commonly used to treat hyperactivity disorder, but also prescription drugs that are commonly abused.
According to police reports, the school administrator allegedly stole the drugs on three occasions in April. Officials also say that the drugs were locked and stored properly in the nurse’s office when Bevilacqua allegedly took them. He has been released from custody. The grand jury will likely decide what charges he will face. Bevilacqua is currently on paid administrative leave from his job at the school, the news report said.
This school administrator is probably going through a lot of the feelings and emotions someone facing the possibility of drug and theft charges would be going through. It’s scary and distressing. Conviction on a new jersey drug charge can spell the end of a career for this vice principal. Right now, he needs an experienced criminal defense attorney who has represented clients accused of drug possession and theft – an attorney who can successfully get his case dismissed, get him an acquittal or at least lower his sentence or penalties.
Drug crimes – whether it involves prescription drugs, narcotics or recreational drugs – usually involves heavy fines, and worst of all, a lengthy prison time, depending on the nature of the alleged crime. It is vital for you at this time to have an experienced criminal defense team on your side that will determine the best path to fight your charges. If you’re a first-time offender you may be able to get away with probation and alternative sentencing such as community service or a drug rehabilitation program.
Drug crimes are serious offenses in the state of New Jersey and the consequences are usually costly and harsh. At Lependorf & Silverstein, our main goal is to get your drug charges dismissed or reduced and keep you out of jail. If you or a loved one has been accused of a drug crime in the state of New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation.
