By Heather Michon

A former Jefferson Pharmacy pharmacist has been indicted on federal charges alleging he stole prescription opioids and other controlled substances and, in some cases, replaced liquid medication with water.

Joshua Joseph Walden, 52, is charged with one count of tampering with consumer products and attempting to tamper with a consumer product, two counts of theft of pre-retail medical products and one count of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia.

The federal grand jury indictment was unsealed Aug. 13.

Hydromorphone, sold under the brand name Dilaudid, is a prescription opioid used to treat pain. Federal prosecutors allege Walden diverted liquid hydromorphone intended for medical use for his own use and replaced it with water.

Walden worked as a pharmacist at Jefferson Pharmacy by July 2023 and resigned in February 2025, according to prosecutors.

“Throughout the course of his employment, Walden stole liquid opioids and amphetamines, and further tampered with prescription medications with reckless disregard for the risk that another person would be placed in danger of death or bodily injury,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in its statement.

The Virginia Board of Pharmacy voted unanimously Dec. 10, 2025, to summarily suspend Walden’s pharmacist license and offer him a pre-hearing consent order in lieu of a formal hearing, according to draft meeting minutes posted by the state. The minutes do not state the reason for the suspension.

According to the U.S. District Court calendar, Walden is currently scheduled for a jury trial Oct. 16 in Charlottesville before U.S. District Judge Jasmine H. Yoon.

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Prosecutors: Palmyra pharmacist stole opioids, replaced liquid medication with water