Albany -- Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares announced Tuesday that the conviction of David Stephenson was upheld by the State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department.

On June 26, 2007 Dr. Stephenson of Rome, NY pled guilty to one count of the Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance. He was subsequently sentenced to six years in state prison.

“The case against this defendant is the first successful prosecution of a physician for the sale of narcotics over the internet in the history of New York State, and it will not be the last,” said Soares. “This decision affirms the legitimacy of cases involving the sale of controlled substances via the internet and we will continue to prosecute those who illegally distribute prescription drugs.”

Stephenson is accused of running a website through which anyone with a credit card could purchase a broad range of drugs. The indictment alleged that he illegally sold the stimulant Methylin, the narcotic preparation Hydrocodone, the controlled substance Nandralone and more than 360 milligrams of Methadone. He pled guilty to the illegal sale of methadone.