by admin | Aug 5, 2013 | Drug Charges
While experienced criminal defense lawyers nationwide see drug cases on a regular basis, West Virginia has the highest number of overdose incidents arising from the misuse of prescription drugs in the entire country. Time and again, several initiatives have been spearheaded, trying to spread awareness about the issue and mobilize the community into accepting responsibility for their actions. While most of these endeavors are positive strides in the right direction, they focus their attention on people who abuse these drugs. However, not much is being done to draw attention to the supply of prescription drugs, which happens to be a key piece in this nationwide problem. In most cases, unethical doctors are the culprits. They are more interested in making big bucks by selling these drugs rather than being true to their profession and helping their patients feel better. There are also medical practitioners who prescribe more pills to a patient than necessary or fall prey to ‘doctor shoppers’ – people who get several physicians to prescribe them controlled substances in a short period of time. Given the situation, it is heartening to see the medical community step up and do what is necessary to curb the problem. More and more doctors are joining the fight against drug abuse and taking steps to ensure they do not, inadvertently or intentionally, contribute to it. Take for instance the pain management policy launched a year ago at St. Mary’s Medical Center. According to their policy, emergency room physicians are only allowed to prescribe enough pills that will help patients in severe pain tide over until they are able to get in...
by admin | Aug 5, 2013 | Domestic Violence, Drug Charges
In a recent event of arrest of three Newport News residents, the trio is looking at a trial for combined charges of drug abuse and child abuse. They were allegedly found in possession of heroin while traveling in a car with two young children. This was discovered after a traffic stop on July 5 in the 6600 block of Route 17. Reportedly, after halting the vehicle a deputy approached and he saw alleged drug paraphernalia and a substance suspected to be heroin. The three adults inside the vehicle, Melissa I. Elliott and Murriel I. Holt and James E. Viens, are each charged with two counts of abuse and neglect of children, one count of possessing and distributing controlled paraphernalia and one count of possession of a controlled substance. Elliott was also charged with receiving stolen goods. Holt is facing an addition count of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. It was also said that the two young children, aged 7 and 3, were also found sitting in the car. A child is considered to have been abused if the parent or custodian manufactures a controlled substance in the presence of a child or on premises occupied by a child; exposes a child to, or allows a child to be present where, chemicals or equipment for the manufacture of controlled substances are used or stored; sells, distributes, or gives drugs or alcohol to a child; uses a controlled substance that impairs the caregiver’s ability to adequately care for the child; or exposing a child to the criminal sale or distribution of drug. In the above case, it is not clear...
by admin | Jul 17, 2013 | Drug Charges
The Executive Office of the President of the United States has declared that “Prescription drug abuse is the Nation’s fastest fastest‐growing drug problem.” Echoing similar sentiment is the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health – “Prescription drugs are now the second most abused category of drugs in the United States following marijuana.” Disturbing as these statistics might be, there is a darker side to this trend that threatens to hit the society where it’s most vulnerable. The 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that more than 6.1 million people in the age group of 12 years and above were addicted to prescription drugs. Of this 54% claimed to obtain these drugs from their medicine cabinet at home or from relatives, usually without their knowledge. The prescription medicines most commonly abused included painkillers, depressants (like anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills) and stimulants. Mindful of the consequences of this trend, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office and Law enforcement officials have launched a sate wide campaign to nip teen prescription abuse in the bud. The main aim of this campaign is to urge residents of Virginia to lock up their prescription drugs before they fall into young hands. It is common knowledge that teenagers lack reasoning and logic, often falling prey to mindless fads under the pressure of their peer group. They are known to make irrational decisions that can jeopardise their safety. As a result, it’s extremely important for adults to take steps to keep temptation out of reach. A simple precaution such as storing medicines in a lock box and keeping them where they cannot...
by admin | Jul 17, 2013 | Drug Charges
Earlier this month, 39-year old David Hudson was arrested for Virginia drug crimes charges of delivering controlled substances. A native of Beckley, Hudson is no stranger to the drug world, having been convicted for selling cocaine in the early 90’s. Only recently had he served a decade long sentence in a federal prison and completed three years of supervised probation in April this year. On Monday, July 8, he was pulled over on Harper Road at around 5 o’clock in the evening. 60 Oxymorphone pills, estimated to have a street value of over $4,000, were found on him. He was arrested and charged with delivering Oxymorphone and Oxycodone – narcotic painkillers that are prescribed for moderate to severe pain. According to Detective Cpl. B.M. Atterson, Hudson’s arrest was the result of an intensive investigation launched by the Beckley Police Department that spanned a period of two months. However, there is no evidence to prove that Hudson was receiving these drugs from other dealers and bringing them into Beckley from Pennsylvania (PA). In fact, he has his own prescription for oxymorphone, procured from a Pennsylvanian doctor. Atterson mentioned that it was not uncommon for offenders to get legally prescribed narcotic drugs from other states (like PA) and peddle it in West Virginia. Also, since PA did not keep a roster of patients prescribed painkillers (unlike West Virginia that has the Board of Pharmacy), it was extremely difficult to keep track of where offenders are receiving medication. Atterson also points out that it is relatively easy to sell prescription drugs as compared to dealing in cocaine. The former can be obtained...
by admin | Jul 9, 2013 | Drug Charges
In two separate incidents, two residents have been convicted drug crimes in Virginia, specifically the importation of narcotics. They have allegedly imported large quantities of an Ecstasy-like stimulant called methylone. Keith Allen Taylor, 28, received more than 11 years in federal prison for importing more than 74 pounds. Caroline Elizabeth Taylor received eight years for importing more than 13 pounds. They were both referred to as “armchair drug dealers” by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Cross said in U.S. District Court. The convicts accepted ordering drugs from a laboratory in China which is why they are labeled as “armchair drug dealers” but they were held to be “drug dealers nonetheless.” Import of methylone is relatively new to the American drug history. It is a white crystalline powder which was initially patented for being an anti-depressant. Its abuse has been seen by snorting, swallowing or mixing into drinks. The drug gained popularity in the United States in 2011 as a club drug popular at raves and electronic-music shows. According to court documents, Keith Taylor and Caroline Taylor were involved in similar but separate conspiracies. In separate hearings, the attorneys of the two drug dealers asked the court for leniency. The leniency was sought on otherwise good records of their clients and that they were good people with only minor criminal records. They also felt that their clients’ co- operation with law enforcement agencies and the streak to take the responsibility for their actions were noteworthy and hence deserved leniency. District Judge Mark S. Davis vehemently responded against this plea for leniency and said that drugs are a poison to the...
by admin | Jul 1, 2013 | Drug Charges
It sounds like a story straight out of the movies. A high-ranking police officer of impeccable reputation, a saga of greed and abuse of power, cryptic code languages, the thrill of sting operations, and the race to blow the lid of a corruption racket. The Federal authorities have brought charges against Michael Dean “Fireball” Roberts for the distribution of illegal substances. A top cop and the pride of Marion since 2000, Roberts, aged 54, was a member of the Smyth County Board of Supervisors from January 1996 through 2009. He is suspected of stealing drugs from the evidence room of the police department. These charges, made in the U.S. District Court in Abingdon, have been supported by affidavits of confidential informants along with audio and video footage captured with the help of hidden microphones and video equipment. In his role as a Police Chief, Roberts was entrusted with the responsibility of destroying drugs seized during raids and as such had access to a wide variety of drugs. Agent Jonathan Tabor of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives mentioned that among the drugs supplied by Roberts were Roxicet, Percocet, Xanax pills, Lortab, marijuana and even cocaine. According to the informant, there were times when Roberts would bring pills that were new and unknown. In order to identify them, they would use a book, described by the informant as the ‘Drug Identification Bible’. Those that were discovered to be narcotics would be kept aside for future use. The non-narcotic pills would be discarded or flushed down the toilet. Video footage also shows Roberts giving a couple of pills (which...
