A former CVS employee from Levittown was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly possessing partially filled-out Covid-19 vaccine cards that he planned to give to friends and family to write their own information on, according to the Nassau County Police Department.
Officers say that Zachary Honig, 21, was found in possession of eight partially filled-out Covid vaccination cards, 54 blank vaccination cards, one pill of a controlled substance, and silver-colored brass knuckles during an investigation Tuesday evening on Dibblee Drive in East Garden City/Westbury.
“The first eight cards that he had were already pre-filled out with the batch number, the store number, and dates that the vaccination was distributed, one date being within the last week and the other one 30 days out, showing it was a completed card,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Pat Ryder explained during a news conference on Thursday, noting that only the name and contact information were missing.
Honig allegedly stole the cards from his place of employment at a local CVS with the intent of sharing them with family members and friends “so that they could go into venues and possibly even use them at school when they go back in September,” Ryder said.
As of this time, the department does not believe that Honig used or distributed any forged vaccine cards, but the investigation is ongoing, Ryder added.
County Executive Laura Curran, who also spoke at the news conference, said she would file legislation regarding fraudulent vaccine cards, but did not give specifics, “to make sure that we send a very clear message that this is not acceptable.”
“Often to get into places, to go places, you need to show that vaccine card,” Curran said. “So when there’s an opportunity, there is a scam, and this has happened right here in Nassau … The reason we can get back to normal is because people are getting vaccinated. If you’re faking it, it could set this whole thing back. That’s the last thing any of us want.”
Honig was charged with eight counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and petit larceny. He was arraigned on Wednesday, May 12, in Mineola.
For more coronavirus coverage, visit longislandpress.com/coronavirus.
Sign up for Long Island Press’ email newsletters here. Sign up for home delivery of Long Island Press here. Sign up for discounts by becoming a Long Island Press community partner here.
