Pharmacist Charged With Illegal Distribution Of Painkillers
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. - A West Virginia pharmacist has been indicted on charges that he dispensed prescription painkillers outside the scope of his professional practice.
Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Washington Field Division and United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that Mario Blount, 51 of Bridgeport, W. Va., was arrested this morning on charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute schedule II controlled substances, distribution of oxycodone and failure to report the filling of a prescription.
Blount, who is employed by Best Care Pharmacy, is alleged to have conspired with two other individuals over the last three years to distribute prescription painkillers for non-legitimate medical purposes.
Angela Davis, 50, also of Bridgeport, WV and her daughter, April Davis, 23 of Marietta, GA., are charged with conspiring with Blount to possess and distribute oxycodone and other prescription painkillers. Angela Davis has also been charged with attempting to fraudulently obtain controlled substances and with the attempted distribution of oxycodone.
The Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force executed search warrants in October 2013 at Best Care pharmacy locations in the West Virginia towns of Bridgeport, Lumberport and Belington.
The evidence gathered during those searches was used to bring charges against Blount and his co-conspirators. The Task Force includes agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bridgeport Police Department, Clarksburg Police Department, and the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal (BCI).
“Mr. Blount abused the trust of the citizens of Bridgeport and the customers at Best Care Pharmacy. These arrests serve as a warning that the illicit distribution of controlled substances will not be tolerated in Harrison County,” said Colder. “Over approximately three years, Mr. Blount illegally dispensed over 11,000 oxycodone and oxymorphone pills. Today’s arrests are the culmination of a ten month investigation, which truly exemplifies the strong working partnership between DEA and the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force.”
Blount faces up to 20 years in prison on the conspiracy and distribution charges, and up to four years on the failure to report a prescription charge. Angela Davis and April Davis each face up to 20 years in prison. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney, John C. Parr.
