Craig J. Starr, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of product tampering in January. Officials have said that Starr used Demerol that he removed from vials to treat his own painful medical condition and did not sell the drug to others. Authorities have said the painkiller was replaced by saline and was diluted either to 10 percent of its original strength or to an undetectable amount.

No direct evidence ever emerged that anyone received an injection of the diluted pain-killer.

"Whether or not any patient actually received the diluted vials of Demerol, Starr's conduct was reprehensible,