Former Roanoke pharmacist pleads guilty to tampering after paraphernalia found in employee bathroom

Roanoke, Virginia – Bryan Wade Lewis, 34 of Roanoke, is facing up to 10 years behind bars for one count of tampering with a consumer product, hydromorphone, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday.

Court documents show that in January of 2018, an employee at Home Choice Partners found a needle, alcohol pad and a bloody tissue in an employee bathroom toilet and reported it to a colleague. When that colleague asked Lewis if he was aware of these items, he said they may have fallen out of his pocket.

The employee contacted human resources, resulting in a drug test for all employees.

Lewis was scheduled to be off work the day of the drug test, but was still instructed to report to work for a screening. He contacted an employee and said he was responsible for the items in the toilet. He admitted he had been involved in such conduct for nine months.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration worked together conducting this case.