CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla – Charlotte County and Sarasota County Sheriff’s detectives, working together, arrest a Bradenton man accused of obtaining narcotics from pain management clinics and sending them out of state.

Detectives say James William Pierce got an appointment and went to the Charlotte Pain Management Center in Port Charlotte, and obtained a legitimate script for a medical problem. The script was for 98 Oxycodone and 30 Adderall pills. Detectives followed Pierce to a pharmacy on Olean Blvd. where the prescriptions were filled, then to Staples in Murdock.

At Staples, Pierce obtained an empty UPS envelope and put his smaller envelope inside. He paid for shipping, left the package for pickup, and exited the store. Detectives obtained the UPS Express Envelope that was addressed to Ray Bhrens in Downers Grove, Illinois. Pierce put his return address in North Port on the package. A search warrant was obtained; detectives opened the envelope and found two CD cases with the pills covered by tissue. Detectives contacted DuPage County Sheriff’s detectives and forwarded the package to them; their detectives went undercover and arrested Bhrens.

Then on Friday Charlotte Pain Management Center officials notified CCSO detectives that Pierce was trying to obtain another prescription. Detectives arrived and arrested Pierce on charges of Trafficking in Oxycodone, Sale and Delivery of Adderall, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.