Bangor, Bowdoin - The former head pharmacist for a failed mail-order pharmacy operated by the Penobscot Indian Nation is going to prison for nearly 4 years.

41-year-old Reginald Gracie, Junior, of Bowdoin was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Bangor.

The judge in the case called his actions "not merely illegal, it was morally wrong."

Gracie pleaded guilty in February to taking more than $120,000 in bribes and filing false tax returns.

He was the lead pharmacist in 2006 for the tribe's company called PIN-Rx and admitted he took kickbacks to fill mostly narcotic prescriptions for on-line drug companies when the mail-order business wilted.

Last month Gracie was also arrested after police say they found more than 60 marijuana plants his property.

He reportedly told them he did it for entertainment and for science.

A half-a-dozen family members and friends spoke in court in support of Gracie.

Gracie also addressed the court and apologized, saying "I'm very sorry. I'm sorry for the sorrow and pain I've caused my family. I wish I could explain why I did what I did, but I can't."

Judge John Woodcock said "This is a highly disturbing and tragic story of a highly respected professional who lost his sense of direction and began to substitute his obligation to the public for his greed. "

He added he believes thousands and thousands of narcotics wouldn't have been given to users, abusers and dealers if Gracie had walked away from PIN-Rx.

Gracie was also ordered to serve three years of supervised released.

He already has to pay more than $40,000 in back taxes to the IRS.

Gracie is scheduled to be in court on the state marijuana charge in September.

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