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SALT LAKE PROVO -- A Provo man who pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy charges for an online prescription distribution ring will spend 36 months in federal prison.
James A. Brinton, 63, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute phentermine and one count of conspiracy to commit international money laundering.
U.S. District Court Judge Dale Kimball issued the sentence Thursday afternoon. The judge also ordered Brinton to serve 36 months of supervised release when he finishes his prison sentence. Brinton will be allowed to self-surrender Aug. 12 to begin his prison sentence.
Brinton was charged as a part of an Internet pharmacy case involving the distribution of drugs smuggled into the country from Mexico.
He admitted that between October of 2003 and July of 2007, he conspired with others charged in the case to distribute a controlled substance, specifically phentermine. Brinton and his co-defendants imported and sold approximately 8 million phentermine pills over the Internet to customers who did not have a valid prescription for the drug.
Brinton agreed to forfeit property located at 3929 Riverwood Drive in Provo as a part of the agreement he reached with federal prosecutors. He also has surrendered his medical license.
The case is being investigated by the DEA, the FBI, the IRS, the U.S. Secret Service and the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
