Family Pharmacy Scandal: Florida Pharmacist, Wife, and Daughter Arrested on Drug Charges
Santa Rosa County, FL — A once-trusted Florida pharmacy operation has unraveled into a high-profile criminal case after the arrest of a pharmacist, his office manager wife, and their daughter on multiple drug-related charges. The arrests mark a new chapter in what authorities are calling one of the largest prescription drug trafficking conspiracies uncovered in the region.
Family Business Turned Criminal Enterprise
According to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) news release, Stephen Allen Burklow, 54, a licensed pharmacist, and his wife Monique Hunter Burklow, 58, who worked as the office manager of the same pharmacy, were arrested Monday on fresh drug possession charges. Their 22-year-old daughter, Laikyn Noel Burklow, was also taken into custody and charged with one count of drug possession without a valid prescription.
The trio turned themselves in to the Santa Rosa County Jail following the issuance of arrest warrants. Mugshots released by the jail show the family members facing serious criminal accusations that could result in years of prison time if convicted.
A Deepening Case of Drug Diversion
These arrests build on a wider investigation initiated months earlier. On May 14, Stephen and Monique Burklow were arrested and charged with conspiracy to traffic prescription drugs, racketeering, money laundering, healthcare fraud, and identity theft. Authorities allege the Burklows orchestrated an extensive scheme to divert controlled substances from legitimate medical use to illicit distribution.
The pharmacy’s co-owner and licensed pharmacist, David Barron Winkles, was also arrested and charged in May with conspiracy to traffic Schedule II controlled substances and racketeering.
According to the FDLE, the scope of the operation was staggering:
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Over 48 pounds of oxycodone
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More than 57 pounds of hydrocodone
- Nearly 1 kilogram of hydromorphone
All were allegedly trafficked by the group, primarily under the direction of Stephen Burklow and Winkles.
Breakdown of the New Charges
The FDLE’s most recent release outlines the updated criminal counts:
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Stephen Allen Burklow now faces:
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10 felony counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription
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5 felony counts of identity theft
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10 misdemeanor counts of drug possession without a prescription
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Monique Hunter Burklow faces:
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1 felony count of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription
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4 misdemeanor counts of drug possession without a prescription
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Laikyn Noel Burklow, their daughter, is charged with:
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1 misdemeanor count of drug possession without a prescription
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Authorities have not disclosed whether additional arrests or charges are expected, though sources indicate the investigation remains ongoing.
A Pattern in Healthcare Fraud
The Burklow case underscores a growing pattern in Florida and nationwide: medical professionals—particularly those with control over prescriptions—being caught at the center of drug diversion networks. While Florida has spent over a decade cracking down on so-called “pill mills,” this case illustrates that illegal prescription trafficking remains a persistent and evolving threat.
The charges involving identity theft also point to the misuse of patient data, a concerning trend in healthcare-related crimes that raises broader questions about the security of medical records and insurance fraud.
What Comes Next
All three Burklow family members remain in custody at the Santa Rosa County Jail pending first court appearances. It is not yet clear whether they will seek plea agreements or proceed to trial. David Winkles, their alleged co-conspirator, is also awaiting legal proceedings in connection to the earlier charges.
The FDLE has stated it will release further information as the case progresses.
Sources
Florida Department of Law Enforcement News Release
Local & Regional News Coverage
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WEAR TV – FDLE warrants detail various new charges
https://weartv.com/news/local/fdle-warrants-detail-various-new-charges-for-pace-pharmacy-owners-and-their-daughter -
WALA/FOX10 – FDLE rearrests Pace Pharmacy owners in ongoing pill mill investigation
https://www.fox10tv.com/2025/06/26/fdle-rearrests-pace-pharmacy-owners-ongoing-pill-mill-investigation/ -
Santa Rosa Press Gazette – Pace Pharmacy owners, daughter arrested
https://srpressgazette.com/pace-pharmacy-owners-daughter-arrested/ -
NorthEscambia.com – New Drug Charges For Pace Pharmacy Owners And Their Daughter
https://www.northescambia.com/2025/06/new-drug-charges-for-pace-pharmacy-owners-and-their-daughter -
Tampa Free Press – Florida Pharmacy Owners, Daughter Busted Again In Expanding Pill Mill Probe
https://www.tampafp.com/florida-pharmacy-owners-daughter-busted-again-in-expanding-pill-mill-probe/
