Arrested For Forging Prescriptions

A Manhattan woman who works as a medical assistant forged a prescription for Klonopin that was filled at White’s Pharmacy in East Hampton in May, according to the charge brought against her in East Hampton Town Justice court Tuesday afternoon.

Donna Lemons, 57, was arrested after a detective who is with the Southampton Town Police and is a member of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s East End Drug Task Force traced the prescription back to her. She is charged with felony forgery.

Klonopin, an anti-anxiety drug, has several medical uses, including the treatment of opioid withdrawal. It is also used illegally as a recreational drug.

Because the incident occurred in East Hampton Village, arraignment took place in East Hampton Town Justice Court. Seated in the courtroom Tuesday afternoon was the Manhattan doctor Ms. Lemons works for, Murray R. Rogers, who, according to the case file at the courthouse, had told police the prescription was not in his handwriting. After the arraignment was over, Dr. Rogers posted the $2,000 bail set by Justice Lisa R. Rana.

Justice Rana arrived at that amount after reviewing the defendant’s criminal record, which includes two convictions for petty larceny and one for grand larceny. Following the latter conviction, the court noted, Ms. Lemons was on probation for five years.

Exploring the possibility of appointing a Legal Aid Society lawyer for the woman, which requires a means test, Justice Rana asked her about her finances. Ms. Lemons replied that she pays rent of $2,000 a month and makes $30,000 a year.

“That’s your only source of income?” Justice Rana asked. “Yes,” was the response. “The truth of the matter is, I work for Dr. Rogers part-time. I get paid under the table because I am on disability. I am disabled. I cannot work full time.”

She was asked what brought her to East Hampton last May, and responded that she had come with a neighbor from Manhattan whom she had just met. “It was a bad trip,” she said.

It is not clear if more arrests are in the offing. The pharmacist who filled the prescription at White’s described the person who brought it in as in her mid-20s, and it was not made out in Ms. Lemons’s name. East Hampton Village Police declined to comment on the case, referring questions to the secretive East End Drug Task Force.

Ms. Lemons is due back in Justice Court on Feb. 9 if not indicted by a grand jury before then.

In other police news, Cassandra M. Flynn of Montauk, who told Justice Rana she had moved there from Middle Island about two months ago, was charged with taking about $400 from a cash drawer at her place of work, Plaza Sports in Montauk. East Hampton Town police said the theft took place during the day on Friday, and arrested Ms. Flynn that night, charging her with misdemeanor petty larceny and possession of stolen property.

According to police, the investigation was short. Plaza Sports is dotted with surveillance cameras, which have been used in shoplifting cases, among other crimes. Ms. Flynn was allegedly seen on video taking the money.

Ms. Flynn, 29, told the court she had been in the Army before moving to Montauk. According to her criminal record, she had been charged with felony burglary in 2007, before she enlisted. The outcome of that case was not clear when Justice Rana examined her rap sheet, though the defendant claimed the charge had been reduced to a misdemeanor. She told the court she had received an honorable discharge from the military.

Justice Rana released her without bail, warning her not to miss any court appearances, the next of which is scheduled for next Thursday.