Pensacola drug dealers moving vast amounts of illegal drugs have made the news again. Federal authorities have charged four Pensacola residents in connection with an alleged prescription drug diversion scheme that illegally distributed over 330,000 controlled substance pills, United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced today.
Nationwide Crackdown
The charges are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, a coordinated enforcement action targeting 324 defendants nationwide.
- The Pensacola case represents a fraction of a massive investigation spanning the country. The nationwide operation exposed over $14.6 billion in intended losses, more than 15 million illegally diverted controlled substance pills, and resulted in $245 million in seized assets, including cash and luxury vehicles. These defendants allegedly exploited programs designed to care for vulnerable populations.
The Local Scheme
The four defendants—Alexandra M. Christensen, 31; Lindsay N. McCray, 41; Heather T. Bradley, 36; and Jennifer E. Purves, 39—face serious federal charges related to illegally distributing oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine.
- According to court records, the alleged scheme operated from 2015 to 2024. Prosecutors say McCray, while employed at a medical practice, systematically forged controlled substance prescriptions using physicians’ names, signatures, and DEA registration numbers without their knowledge or authorization.
The operation allegedly resulted in the unlawful distribution of over 300,000 hydrocodone pills and more than 30,000 oxycodone pills. McCray also faces charges for distributing amphetamine with Bradley and Purves.
- Lindsay McCray faces the most severe charges: conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, and identity theft. If convicted, she could face up to 80 years in federal prison.
- Alexandra Christensen is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, facing a maximum of 20 years imprisonment.
- Heather Bradley and Jennifer Purves are each charged with distribution of controlled substances, also facing potential sentences of up to 20 years.
All four defendants are scheduled for trial on August 18 at 9 a.m. before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.