Alabama Man Admits Aiding Missouri Pharmacy Burglary that Netted 16,800 Pills
CAPE GIRARDEAU – An Alabama man has admitted involvement in the burglary of a Kennett, Missouri pharmacy last year and the theft of 16,800 pills, U.S. Attorney Thomas C. Albus announced Monday.
Cornelius Cardez Bray, 31, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of intent to steal a controlled substance and one count of possession with intent to distribute hydrocodone. He admitted acting as the driver for David Jerome Evans, who broke into a pharmacy on March 13, 2025. A police officer responding to an alarm spotted a car with Tennessee license plates heading out of town and recalled that a few days earlier someone in a passenger car with Tennessee plates had been seen taking pictures of another pharmacy in town. The officer attempted to stop Bray, but he sped away, eventually crashing the vehicle. Evans was arrested. Bray fled but was arrested later.
Officers found numerous pill bottles in the wreckage, as well as a large blue crowbar, a black face mask and Bray’s wallet and cell phone. The men stole 16,800 pills, including 7,500 hydrocodone pills and 7,500 pills containing benzodiazepine drugs.
Evans, now 31, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to 78 months in prison.
Bray is scheduled to be sentenced on October 1.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Kennett Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Willis is prosecuting the case.
