Octogenarian gets 5 years for selling OxyContin

[June 16, 2009]  FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) -- An 81-year-old man has drawn a five-year sentence for illegally selling the powerful prescription pain reliever OxyContin.

Rayfield Dupree was sentenced Friday. Dupree, who turns 82 next month, originally was charged with five felony counts of drugs misconduct. He pleaded guilty to one consolidated count in a plea deal with prosecutors.

He will be eligible for parole after serving 20 months, but until then can take medical parole for health reasons if necessary.

Public defender Amy Allen said Dupree suffers from an irregular heartbeat.

Superior Court Judge Paul Lyle ordered Dupree to report to jail by June 22. Dupree has been free on bond since shortly after his November arrest.

___

Information from: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.