Recognition_Lieutenants John Digman and David Haupert
CERTIFICATE RECOGNITION
of
In late 2003, a confidential informant called the Dubuque Drug Task force with a tip about possible
illegal activities at a local pharmacy. That tip instigated an investigation, which led to a search warrant
at the pharmacy that was followed by a six-year federal investigation leading to 26 federal convictions
and over $7million in asset seizures and forfeitures across several states.
This case revolved around Florida Internet based companies recruiting doctors in Florida, Texas,
Virginia, Connecticut and New York to write prescriptions for patients who were not physically
examine. The prescriptions were then filled by complicit pharmacies, including a Dubuque pharmacy. It
was determined that the local pharmacy had dispensed over 1.1 million prescription pills, and
nationwide over 30 million prescriptions were dispensed through the participating pharmacies.
Federal investigation “Operation Webdrugs” combined the Dubuque Drug Task Force partner
agencies, the Dubuque Police Department, Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of
Narcotics Enforcement. A total of 36 federal, state and local agencies contributed to this investigation
as did 49 separate United States Attorneys’ Offices. Locally, DDTF investigators Dave Haupert and
John Digman were the lead investigators in this case over its entire six years. In total, this case
included 1.5 terabytes of electronic data, and over 440,000 documents – the equivalent of 150 full semi-
trailers – were collected and reviewed during the course of Operation Webdrugs.
In the end 26 defendants – 1 corporation, 3 corporate officers, 2 physician recruiters, 19 doctors and
one pharmacist - were convicted in federal court. Twelve other doctors entered pretrial diversion
programs or were prosecuted in other jurisdictions based on evidence gathered in this case.
Nationally, $7 million was forfeited with $1.7 million awarded to the Dubuque Drug Task Force for its
lead role in the investigation. This money will augment drug control efforts in Dubuque and Dubuque
County and assist its partner agencies in filling other needs. To date the Dubuque Police Department
has hired three officers and the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office and Dubuque County Attorney’s
Office are in the process of hiring three people, as a result of forfeited drug money. This case is a
testament to the strong partnerships in law enforcement toward the eradication of illegal drugs, and to
the tenacity and resolve of the case agents Dave Haupert and John Digman. This case and the officers
involved were recognized in Washington D.C. last summer by the Department of Justice Organized
Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces for the investigation.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand and caused the Great Seal of the City of
th
Dubuque to be affixed this 17 day of May,
2010.
________________________________
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
________________________________
Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC, City Clerk