US v. Williams, 10th Circ. Ct. of Appeals; Indian Law Bulletins; National Indian Law Library, Native American Rights Fund (NARF)

549 Fed.Appx. 813
(Cite as: 549 Fed.Appx. 813)
This case was not selected for publication in the Federal Reporter.

United States Court of Appeals,

Tenth Circuit.

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff || Appellee,

Zachary C. WILLIAMS, Defendant || Appellant.

No. 12 || 6097.

Dec. 12, 2013.

*814 David Patrick Petermann, Esq., Randal A. Sengel, Esq., Office of the United
States Attorney, Oklahoma City, OK, for Plaintiff-Appellee.

Michael S. Johnson, Esq., Law Office of Michael S. Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK,
Herman Craig Pitts, Rubenstein & Pitts, PLLC, Edmond, OK, for Defendant-Appellant.

Before BRISCOE, Chief Judge, KELLY, and GORSUCH, Circuit Judges.

ORDER AND JUDGMENT FN*

FN* This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the
doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It
may be cited, however, for its persuasive value consistent with Fed. R.App.
P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.

MARY BECK BRISCOE, Chief Judge.

Zachary Carl Williams appeals his conviction for conspiracy to misbrand
prescription drugs in violation of 21 U.S.C. ss 331(a), 331(k), 333(a), and 18
U.S.C. s 371. Williams raises five issues on appeal. In his first two issues
he alleges the indictment was constructively amended in violation of his
constitutional rights. In his third and fourth issues he alleges the jury was
improperly instructed. Finally, Williams argues that he is entitled to tribal
sovereign immunity because his pharmacy operation was authorized by a license
issued by the Ponca Tribe, a federally recognized tribe. Finding no error, we
affirm Williams' conviction.

A. Factual Background

This case arises out of Williams' operation of White Eagle Pharmacy ("White
Eagle") on the Ponca Tribe reservation. In February 2009, Williams appeared
before the Ponca Tribe Business Committee, the tribe's governing body, to propose
that his company operate a tribal-owned pharmacy on tribal land. In return,
White Eagle would pay the Ponca Tribe fifty cents per prescription and hire tribal
members as pharmacy employees. Williams suggested that the Committee pass a
pharmacy act in order to issue pharmacy licenses, and he provided a proposed
pharmacy act that he represented was similar to Oklahoma's Pharmacy Act. Williams
also told the Committee that a *815 licensed pharmacist would be on duty and
physically present at White Eagle at all times.

On March 17, 2009, the Committee passed the Ponca Tribe Pharmacy Act. The Act
prescribed that an "Advisory Board" would oversee enforcement of the Act and issue
licenses. The Ponca Tribe never established an Advisory Board, however. On
June 19, 2009, the Secretary Treasurer of the Business Committee met with Williams
and gave Williams two licenses from the Ponca Tribe which purported to allow
Williams to transfer prescription drugs from Seneca Cayuga tribal land to Ponca
tribal land.FN1 Both licenses were issued to "White Eagle Rx," effective from
June 19, 2009, to June 19, 2014. On June 19, 2009, the Ponca Tribe entered into
a "Pharmacy Management and Administrative Services Agreement" with Williams'
company, Abaci Holdings, LLC. Under this Agreement, the Ponca Tribe owned the
White Eagle Pharmacy, and Abaci Holdings was slated to manage and operate the
pharmacy.

FN1. The first license granted its holders "the privilege of engaging in the
sale of pharmaceutical products on Federal Trust Property held for the
benefit of the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma." Aplt.App. Vol. I at
87. The second license allowed "[i]mportation, exportation, wholesale,
retail, and mail telephone order sales, compounding and manufacturer of
pharmaceutical products." Id. Vol. III at 661.

White Eagle was not a walk-in pharmacy, but rather is described as a
"fulfillment" pharmacy. White Eagle contracted with companies, such as Health
Solutions Network, LLC ("Health Solutions"), to fill batch prescriptions. Health
Solutions operated a website where customers from different states completed
online questionnaires detailing their ailments. A doctor in Puerto Rico would
then review the questionnaire and "prescribe" drugs solely on that basis. Drugs
were prescribed without the prescribing doctor's physical examination of the
patient, or even a conversation with the patient regarding the patient's ailments.
Williams filled these online prescription drug orders without the presence or
authorization of a licensed pharmacist. Williams simply had employees count
pills into bottles and then ship the filled bottles to customers. White Eagle
filled up to 1,200 orders per day. The primary drugs ordered and shipped were
Soma, Tramadol, and Fioricet, which are prescription pain relievers or muscle
relaxers.

B. Procedural Background

Although Williams was initially indicted on seven counts on July 7, 2010, the
grand jury subsequently issued a superseding indictment on December 8, 2010,
charging Williams with the following six counts: Count 1 charged conspiracy to
distribute Fioricet,FN2 a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. ss
841(h)(1), 846; Count 2 charged conspiracy to misbrand the prescription drugs
Fioricet, Soma, and Tramadol, in violation of 21 U.S.C. ss 331(a), 331(k), 333(a),
and 18 U.S.C. s 371; and Counts 3 through 6 charged distribution and aiding and
abetting distribution of Fioricet via Fed-Ex shipment, in violation of 21 U.S.C. s
841(a) and 18 U.S.C. s 2.

FN2. Fioricet contains butalbital, a Schedule III controlled substance,
acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol), and caffeine.

Williams filed a motion to dismiss. He argued that the district court lacked
subject matter jurisdiction to prosecute federal crimes committed in Indian
Country, and that he was immune from suit under tribal sovereign immunity.
Williams also asserted broad international human rights and aboriginal rights
arguments. After *816 conducting a hearing on Williams' motion, the district
court denied the motion.

A jury subsequently found Williams guilty on Count 2 of the superseding
indictment (conspiracy to distribute misbranded drugs in violation of the Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act), and not guilty on the remaining counts. The district
court sentenced Williams to a term of thirty-seven months' imprisonment followed
by two years of supervised release.

C. Statutory and Regulatory Background

1. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ("FDCA"), 21 U.S.C. s 301 et seq., outlaws
drug misbranding. Under 21 U.S.C. s 331, it is unlawful to introduce, deliver,
or receive in interstate commerce misbranded drugs.FN3 Under 21 U.S.C. s 352(f),
a drug is "misbranded" if it does not bear "adequate directions for use." FDA
regulations define "adequate directions for use" as "directions under which the
layman can use a drug safely and for the purposes for which it is intended." 21
C.F.R. s 201.5. The "intended use" of the drug is the "objective intent of the
person legally responsible for the labeling of the drug," and may be determined
for example, by labeling claims, advertising matter, or oral or written statements
by such persons or their representatives." 21 C.F.R. s 201.128. Here, the
individual labeling the drugs shipped from White Eagle was Williams. The
prescription drugs he was labeling and shipping, however, were "not safe for use
except under the supervision of a practitioner." 21 U.S.C. s 353(b)(1)(A).
Therefore, prescription drugs can never bear "adequate directions for use" under
FDA's interpretation, and thus are presumptively misbranded. E.g., United States
v. Evers, 643 F.2d 1043, 1051 (5th Cir.1981); United States v. An Article of
Device, 731 F.2d 1253, 1261 (7th Cir.1984) ("Although this regulatory arrangement
may seem strange insofar as it makes prescription devices presumptively
misbranded, the device is not contrary to either the letter or intent of the
statute.").

FN3. Different subsections of s 331 prohibit misbranding at different points
of interstate commerce. Section s 331(a) makes it unlawful to "introduc[e]
or deliver[ ] for introduction into interstate commerce ... any drug ...
that is ... misbranded." 21 U.S.C. s 331(a). Section 331(b) prohibits
misbranding drugs while "in interstate commerce," and s 331(c) prohibits
receiving misbranded drugs in interstate commerce. Id. s 331(b), (c).
Section 331(k) fills any gap left by the prior subsections and prohibits
"the doing of any ... act with respect to ... a drug ... if such act is done
while such article is held for sale (whether or not the first sale) after
shipment in interstate commerce and results in such article being ...
misbranded." Id. s 331(k).

Prescription drugs can avoid the misbranding prohibition in two ways. First,
s 352(f) states that "where any requirement of [adequate directions for use] ...
is not necessary for the protection of the public health, the [FDA] shall
promulgate regulations exempting such drug" from s 352(f)'s requirement. 21
U.S.C. s 352(f). Pursuant to this language, the FDA enacted Subpart D,
"Exemptions from Adequate Directions for Use." See 21 C.F.R. Pt. 201. Under 21
C.F.R. s 201.100, prescription drugs that are "[i]n the possession of a ... clinic
pharmacy ... regularly and lawfully engaged in dispensing prescription drugs" and
that satisfy the labeling requirements of s 201.100(b) are exempt from the
"adequate directions for use" requirement. Id. s 201.100(a)(1)(ii), (b). Second,
21 U.S.C. s 353(b)(2) exempts "[a]ny drug dispensed by filling or refilling a ...
prescription of a practitioner licensed by law to administer *817 such drug" if
basic labeling requirements are met. Id. Consequently, dispensing a prescription
drug without a prescription constitutes misbranding. E.g., United States v.
Mitcheltree, 940 F.2d 1329, 1348 (10th Cir.1991) (citing United States v.
Bradshaw, 840 F.2d 871, 872 n. 2 (11th Cir.1988)); United States v. Goldberg, 538
F.3d 280, 288 (3d Cir.2008).

2. The Controlled Substances Act

The Controlled Substances Act ("CSA") classifies and regulates controlled
substances. See 21 U.S.C. s 812; 21 C.F.R. ss 1308.11-15. If controlled
substances are distributed for medical uses through an online pharmacy, the online
pharmacy is required to be licensed "in each State from which it, and in each
State to which it, delivers ... controlled substances by means of the internet."
21 U.S.C. s 831(b). Section 841(h) renders it "unlawful for any person to
knowingly or intentionally ... deliver, distribute, or dispense a controlled
substance by means of the Internet," unless that person is a registered person
acting pursuant to a valid prescription. See 21 U.S.C. ss 822, 829(e),
841(h)(1)(A), (h)(4). A "valid prescription" is one issued by "a practitioner
who has conducted at least 1 in-person medical evaluation of the patient." 21
U.S.C. s 829(e)(2).

A. Constructive Amendment of Indictment

[1] In his first two arguments, Williams asserts that the evidence at trial and
the jury instructions constructively amended the superseding indictment by
"eliminating the requirement 'that the labeling bear adequate directions for use'
in accordance with 21 U.S.C. s 352(f)(1)." Aplt. Br. at 18. Ordinarily, "[w]e
review de novo the question whether the district court proceedings constructively
amended the indictment." United States v. Farr, 536 F.3d 1174, 1179 (10th
Cir.2008). Because Williams did not raise this objection before the district
court, however, we review his constructive amendment argument for plain error.
See United States v. Brown, 400 F.3d 1242, 1253 (10th Cir.2005).FN4 "Under the
plain error standard, we may reverse only if a defendant demonstrates (1) error
(2) that is plain, (3) that prejudices his substantial rights, and (4) that
seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial
proceedings." United States v. Mendiola, 696 F.3d 1033, 1036 (10th Cir.2012)
(quotation omitted). "Because all four requirements must be met, the failure of
any one will foreclose relief and the others need not be addressed." United
States v. Gantt, 679 F.3d 1240, 1246 (10th Cir.2012).

FN4. In his opening brief, Williams states that the alleged constructive
amendment of the superseding indictment is a "per se violation of Mr.
Williams's Fifth Amendment rights." Aplt. Br. at 18. In Brown, this
Court clarified the "uncertainty" in Tenth Circuit precedent regarding
whether an unobjected-to constructive amendment is reversible per se or
reversible only when it constitutes plain error. We concluded that a
defendant must show plain error when he fails to raise the argument before
the district court. 400 F.3d at 1253 n. 6.

The Constitution protects defendants from being tried on charges that are not
contained in the charging document. U.S. Const. amend. V; Stirone v. United
States, 361 U.S. 212, 217, 80 S.Ct. 270, 4 L.Ed.2d 252 (1960). " 'To constitute a
constructive amendment, the district court proceedings must modify an essential
element of the offense or raise the possibility the defendant was convicted of an
offense other than that charged in the indictment.' " United States v.
DeChristopher, 695 F.3d *818 1082, 1095 (10th Cir.2012) (quoting United States v.
Hien Van Tieu, 279 F.3d 917, 921 (10th Cir.2002)).

Count 2 of the superseding indictment stated:

A drug is misbranded if its labeling does not bear adequate directions for use.
Prescription drugs fail to bear adequate directions for use and are misbranded
unless they meet all regulatory requirements, including the requirement that the
drugs are in the possession of a retail, hospital, or clinic pharmacy regularly
and lawfully engaged in the dispensing of prescription drugs and dispensed
pursuant to a valid prescription.

Aplt.App. Vol. I at 261.

The district court instructed the jury that:

Id. Vol. IV at 866.

Williams claims that the government "failed to present any evidence through its
witnesses and exhibits that there were not adequate directions for use on labels
affixed to the bottles at White Eagle," which he argues was "the key provision and
element under which [he] was charged in the superseding indictment in Count Two."
Aplt. Br. at 17-18. Williams further argues:

If the drug labeling fails to have 'adequate directions of use' pursuant to 21
U.S.C. s 352(f)(1), then it would not be misbranded if it meets [21 C.F.R. s
201.100's] exception. Because the government failed to present any evidence
that the prescriptions that left White Eagle Rx did not contain "adequate
directions for use," the necessity of this exemption was not triggered.

Aplt. Br. at 19 (emphases added).FN5

FN5. Williams also states that " '[a]dequate directions for use' under 21
U.S.C. s 352(f)(1) depends on where the product is in the commerce stream."
Aplt. Br. at 19. As support, he cites Evers, 643 F.2d at 1049-50, and 21
C.F.R. s 201.5. Neither supports this proposition, however. Section 331
only establishes liability for misbranding and does not mandate label
requirements. Whether the label provides "adequate directions for use" is
determined by s 352(f) and its exceptions, not by s 331.

Simply put, Williams misunderstands the FDCA. Under FDA's definition,
prescription drugs can never satisfy the "adequate directions for use" requirement
under s 352(f) because they are unsafe for use by laymen. Accordingly, there was
no need for the district court to instruct the jury on the meaning of "adequate
directions for use," nor for the government to introduce evidence that no
"adequate directions for use" were on the drug labels here. As prescription drugs
are presumptively misbranded, criminal liability can only be avoided if one of the
exceptions to s 352(f) apply, i.e., the prescription drug is in the possession of
a clinic pharmacy that regularly and lawfully engages in the dispensing of
prescription drugs, and its labeling satisfies the labeling requirements of 21
C.F.R. s 201.100(b); or the prescription drug is dispensed by filling or
refilling a prescription of a practitioner licensed by law to administer such
drug, and the labeling requirements of 21 C.F.R. s 201.100(b) are met. In this
case, the jury did not need to reach the "directions for use" question because
neither Williams nor White Eagle were licensed to lawfully dispense prescription
drugs. The superseding indictment set out the applicable law regarding the
misbranding of prescription *819 drugs. The trial evidence and the subsequent
instruction to the jury on Count 2 were properly focused on the proofs necessary
to sustain a conviction on Count 2. Accordingly, "the crime and the elements of
the offense that sustain [Williams'] conviction [for misbranding] are fully and
clearly set out in the indictment." United States v. Miller, 471 U.S. 130, 136,
105 S.Ct. 1811, 85 L.Ed.2d 99 (1985). Williams has not shown error.

B. Jury Instruction on Count 1

Williams next argues that the district court made two errors in its jury
instruction. We review de novo legal objections to the jury instructions, and
view the record and instructions as a whole to determine if they "fairly,
adequately and correctly state the governing law and provide the jury with an
ample understanding of the applicable principles of law and factual issues
confronting them." United States v. Jones, 468 F.3d 704, 710 (10th Cir.2006)
(quoting United States v. Denny, 939 F.2d 1449, 1454 (10th Cir.1991)). We review
for abuse of discretion "the district court's decision to give or to refuse a
particular jury instruction," as well as "a district court's shaping or phrasing
of a particular jury instruction." United States v. Bedford, 536 F.3d 1148, 1152
(10th Cir.2008). However, when the defendant fails to object to an instruction,
we review for plain error.

Williams alleges two errors in the court's instruction on Count 1: 1) the
district court instructed that a "valid prescription" required at least one
in-person meeting between the doctor and patient; and 2) the district court
instructed that White Eagle was an online pharmacy. Although the jury acquitted
Williams on Count 1, he nevertheless asserts that the alleged errors in the
instruction on Count 1 warrant reversal of his conviction on Count 2 as
alternative-theory error and because the instructions as a whole misled the jury.
See Aplt. Br. at 25 ("[I]t is impossible to ascertain which description of valid
prescription ... the jury used as a basis for finding Williams guilty, or if they
even used this definition at all."); id. at 28 ("[T]he jury was left with the
impression based on the instruction that White Eagle Rx['s] license was not valid
because they were not licensed by the State.").

1. Final Judgment Rule

Initially, the government contends that Williams cannot raise this issue
because he "was neither convicted nor sentenced on Count 1." Aplee. Br. at 23.
A criminal case is final "when it terminates the litigation between the parties on
the merits and leaves nothing to be done but to enforce by execution what has been
determined." Berman v. United States, 302 U.S. 211, 212-13, 58 S.Ct. 164, 82
L.Ed. 204 (1937). "Final judgment in a criminal case means sentence." Id. at
212, 58 S.Ct. 164. Accordingly, the government correctly states that "[i]n a
criminal case the rule prohibits appellate review until conviction and imposition
of sentence." Flanagan v. United States, 465 U.S. 259, 263, 104 S.Ct. 1051, 79
L.Ed.2d 288 (1984). But we have that final judgment here.

Although Williams was acquitted on Count 1, he may still challenge the
instruction as it relates to his conviction on Count 2. Once the district court
enters final judgment, an appeal from that judgment may include the majority of
the district court's rulings that preceded the final judgment. Id. ("This final
judgment rule requires that a party must ordinarily raise all claims of error in a
single appeal following final judgment on the merits.") (quotation omitted). The
cases cited by the government do not lead us to a different conclusion, as they
regard interlocutory appeals. Here, *820 Williams directly appeals his
conviction after being sentenced. Accordingly, we have jurisdiction pursuant to 28
U.S.C. s 1291, to address what, if any, effect the instruction on Count 1 had upon
Williams' conviction on Count 2.

2. Definition of Valid Prescription

[2] Williams claims the definition of "valid prescription" in the instruction
on Count 1 was wrong. He agrees that the district court correctly defined "valid
prescription" in its Count 2 instruction, but he argues that "it is impossible to
ascertain" which definition the jury relied on when convicting him on Count 2.
Aplt. Br. at 25. As Williams did not raise this specific objection before the
district court,FN6 we review Williams' challenge to the Count 1 instruction for
plain error. United States v. Bader, 678 F.3d 858, 867 (10th Cir.2012); United
States v. Zapata, 546 F.3d 1179, 1190 (10th Cir.2008).

FN6. In his opening brief, Williams states that his counsel joined in
codefendant Health Solutions' objection to the definition of "valid
prescription." See Aplt. Br. at 21-22. His citations to the record do
not support his contention, however. At the jury instruction conference,
Health Solutions' counsel objected to the definition of "valid prescription"
because it disagreed with the district court's conclusion that Fioricet was
not exempted from the criminal provisions of the CSA. Aplt.App. Vol. VII at
1806-07. Health Solutions' counsel asked that the definition for "practice
of telemedicine" be removed from the instructions, and Williams joined in
that request. Id. at 1808. Williams then objected to the district court's
Count 1 instruction, arguing that "what constitutes a valid prescription ...
would be a question of fact, not law for the Court." Id. at 1808-09.
Williams' citations do not support his assertion that he specifically
objected to the inclusion of the "in-person" requirement in the definition
of "valid prescription." Reply Br. at 6 (citing Aplt.App. Vol. VII at
1806-08); see 10th Cir. R. 28.2(C)(3)(b) ( "Briefs must cite the precise
reference in the record where a required objection was made and ruled on
[when] based on ... the giving of or refusal to give a particular jury
instruction.").

The instruction for Count 1 stated in relevant part:

The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to distribute a controlled
substance contrary to law. The applicable law, 21 U.S.C. s 841(h), makes it a
crime to distribute a controlled substance, such as Fioricet, unless certain
requirements are met. In the case of an online pharmacy, those requirements
include that the drug be dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription and that the
pharmacy comply with applicable state licensing requirements.

As applicable to the circumstances of this case, a "valid prescription" is one
that is issued for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of
professional practice by a practitioner who has conducted at least one in-person
medical evaluation of the patient.

Aplt.App. Vol. IV at 862 (emphasis added).

The instruction for Count 2 stated:

The indictment alleges the purpose of the conspiracy charged in Count 2 was to
hold misbranded drugs for sale after shipment in interstate commerce and to
introduce misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud
and mislead, contrary to 21 U.S.C. ss 331 and 333. The drugs the defendants
are charged with misbranding are Fioricet, Soma and Tramadol. This instruction
will explain the underlying offense of misbranding.

Federal law provides that prescription drugs, such as Fioricet, Soma and
Tramadol, are misbranded if they are not in the possession of a retail pharmacy
regularly and lawfully engaged in the dispensing of prescription drugs, or if
the drugs are not dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription. In this regard
the *821 term "valid prescription" means a prescription that is issued for a
legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice by a
practitioner. The usual course of medical practice refers to a standard of
medical practice generally recognized and accepted in the United States.

....

Id. at 866 (emphasis added).

Williams argues that the instruction for Count 1 modified its definition of
"valid prescription" with "[a]s applicable to the circumstances of this case,"
which confused the jury about whether Count 1's definition of "valid prescription"
applied to all counts.

Reading the instructions as a whole, we conclude the district court did not
err. Even if we assume, arguendo, that Count 1's definition of "valid
prescription" was erroneous, the language in Count 2 and the related general
instructions remedied any possible confusion. Count 2 clarified that "[i]n this
regard the term 'valid prescription' means a prescription that is issued for a
legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice by a
practitioner," eliminating any confusion caused by the case-wide modifier in Count
1. Further, the district court instructed the jury to "consider [ ] separately"
"each count of the indictment" in its general instructions to the jury.
Aplt.App. Vol. IV at 841. The district court's instruction defining "valid
prescription" in Count 1 was not plain error as regards Count 2. See United States
v. Berry, 717 F.3d 823, 832 (10th Cir.2013) ("We presume jurors attend closely to
the language of the instructions in a criminal case and follow the instructions
given them." (quotation omitted)); United States v. Pennett, 496 F.2d 293, 296
(10th Cir.1974) ("We will not impute to juries the inability to correctly
understand the totality" of the jury instructions).

Williams' alternative-theory argument is also unpersuasive. Williams
describes Count 1 and Count 2 instructions as "two independent alternative grounds
for conviction." See Aplt. Reply Br. at 9. Williams misapplies the term. Count
1 instructed the jury on the meaning of "valid prescription" under the CSA. Count
2 instructed the jury on the meaning of "valid prescription" under the FDCA. Count
1 and Count 2 alleged violations of different federal crimes, under different
criminal statutes, not alternate theories of guilt for conviction under the same
statute. The alternative-theory doctrine does not apply here.

3. Online Pharmacy

[3] Williams next argues that the district court erred in its Count 1
instruction by describing White Eagle as an online pharmacy. Because Williams
did not object to this instruction, he again must show plain error.FN7 "The
proper inquiry is not whether the instruction could have been applied in an
unconstitutional manner, but whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the
jury did so apply it." Jones, 468 F.3d at 710 (citations and quotations omitted).

FN7. In his reply brief, Williams asserts that he objected to the district
court's inclusion of "online pharmacy" in its Count 1 instruction. Aplt.
Reply Br. at 6 (citing Aplt.App. Vol. VII at 1805). However, Williams
objected to the Count 1 instruction because "the Court ... is instructing as
a matter of law that the Ponca-issued license is not valid," which he
believed was "a factual question, not a legal determination by the Court."
He did not object to the district court's instruction that White Eagle was
an online pharmacy. Aplt.App. Vol. VII at 1805-06.

Under the CSA, online pharmacies must comply with licensing laws of both the
*822 state in which they operate and all states to which they deliver drugs. 21
U.S.C. s 831(b). An online pharmacy is defined as "a person, entity, or Internet
site, whether in the United States or abroad, that knowingly or intentionally
delivers, distributes, or dispenses, or offers or attempts to deliver, distribute,
or dispense, a controlled substance by means of the Internet." 21 U.S.C. s
802(52)(A); see also 21 U.S.C. s 802(52)(B) (listing exceptions to definition).

On Count 1, the district court instructed that

With respect to the requirement that the online pharmacy comply with applicable
state licensing requirements, you are instructed that an online pharmacy must
comply with the licensing laws of each State from which, and each State to
which, it delivers, distributes or dispenses controlled substances by means of
the internet. You have heard evidence relating to a purported license issued
by the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. An Indian tribe is not a State, and you are
instructed that a license from an Indian tribe, even if otherwise valid, does
not satisfy the requirement of compliance with the licensing requirements of the
pertinent state. You may, however, consider such evidence as to a tribal
license as it bears on the issue of a defendant's knowledge or intent.

Aplt.App. Vol. IV at 862.

Williams argues it was error to require White Eagle, as the alleged online
pharmacy at issue, to comply with state licensing requirements because White Eagle
did not have its own website or advertise through the internet. The CSA's
definition of "online pharmacy" is broader than Williams realizes, however.
Section 802(52) states that "a person, entity, or Internet site" qualifies as an
online pharmacy if "the person, entity or Internet site ... knowingly or
intentionally" delivers or attempts to deliver a controlled substance via the
internet. Accordingly, the plain language of the definition of "online pharmacy"
does not require an online website because s 802(52) plainly includes "a person"
or an "entity" as also qualifying as an online pharmacy if the "person" or
"entity" knowingly or intentionally delivers or attempts to deliver a controlled
substance via the internet. See United States v. Williams, 376 F.3d 1048, 1052
(10th Cir.2004) ("In ascertaining the plain meaning of a statute, this court must
look to the particular statutory language at issue, as well as the language and
design of the statute as a whole.").

Further, s 841(h) provides examples of conduct that would violate the CSA,
including "serving as an agent, intermediary or other entity that causes the
Internet to be used to bring together a buyer and seller" and "offering to fill a
prescription for a controlled substance based solely on a consumer's completion of
an online medical questionnaire." 21 U.S.C. s 841(h)(2)(C), (D). White Eagle
filled prescriptions for customers who obtained their prescriptions from Health
Solutions by online questionnaires, thereby falling within the prohibition set
forth in 21 U.S.C. s 841(h)(2)(C), (D). The district court did not err in
concluding that White Eagle qualified as an online pharmacy.

Williams also argues that the district court's Count 1 instruction stated "as a
matter of law [that White Eagle] did not have a valid license issued by the
State." Aplt. Reply Br. at 9. Williams argues that White Eagle "was not required
to be licensed by the State of Oklahoma (or any state) because it was not located
in any state." Aplt. Br. at 27. Because White Eagle complied with the Ponca
Pharmacy Act, he argues, it was exempt from registering with the Secretary of
Health and *823 Human Services under the FDCA. He argues the jury may have relied
on the district court's erroneous instruction on Count 1 to find him guilty of
misbranding because White Eagle was not "lawfully engaged in the dispensing of
prescription drugs." Id. at 28.

The instruction on Count 1 did not state that White Eagle did not have a valid
license. Rather, the instruction clarified that online pharmacies are still
required to obtain licenses from the states in which they operate and to which
they deliver, even if they are licensed by a tribe. Aplt.App. Vol. IV at 862.
Assuming, arguendo that Williams' argument has merit, the CSA still requires
online pharmacies comply with state licensing laws for all states into which the
pharmacy delivers prescription drugs. Williams has not pointed to any evidence
from which a jury could conclude that he was licensed in all of the states to
which White Eagle delivered prescription drugs. He has not shown clear error.

C. Tribal Sovereign Immunity

[4] Finally, Williams argues that he is immune from federal prosecution because
"the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma has the authority and did validly issue White Eagle
Rx a pharmacy license." Aplt. Br. at 29. "We review de novo a district court's
denial of a motion to dismiss based on tribal sovereign immunity." Miner Elec.,
Inc. v. Muscogee (Creek) Nation, 505 F.3d 1007, 1009 (10th Cir.2007).

Williams does not explain how tribal sovereign immunity would provide him with
immunity from federal criminal prosecution. Although he argued in the district
court that he was immune because he was acting as an agent of the Ponca Tribe,
Williams failed to flesh out this argument on appeal. As the government points
out, we have previously declined to address "perfunctory" appellate arguments that
"fail to frame and develop an issue." Murrell v. Shalala, 43 F.3d 1388, 1389 n. 2
(10th Cir.1994).

Williams was charged with and convicted of a crime in violation of a generally
applicable federal statute. Williams does not argue that the FDCA is not
applicable to him, but rather that he is immune from prosecution. However, he
does not explain how the site of the pharmacy, the issuance of a tribal pharmacy
license, or the Ponca Tribe's alleged regulatory authority over the pharmacy would
bar his federal criminal prosecution.FN8

FN8. This court has already essentially rejected Williams' argument by
dismissing his co-defendants' interlocutory appeal of the district court's
denial of their motion to dismiss based in part on sovereign immunity
because "the defendants [did] not demonstrate[ ] a colorable claim that
their cases fall outside the general rule that they are subject to general
federal criminal statutes." United States v. Fels, No. 11-6253 (10th Cir.
Oct. 26, 2011), ECF 9913670; United States v. Drew, No. 11-6254 (10th Cir.
Oct. 26, 2011), ECF 9913670.

AFFIRMED.