TOPEKA — Eight people from Ottawa could face up to life in federal prison if they’re convicted on charges of distributing prescription drugs that resulted in death and serious bodily injury. The eight initially were charged in March with drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. However, he said a federal grand jury indicted them with new charges Friday that refer to death and serious bodily injury, which increases the potential penalties to life in prison. One man died May 9, 2009 in Ottawa, and another man was hospitalized in April 2009 in Ottawa as a result of consuming the drugs, he said.
Neither Grissom nor the indictment named the victims. Indicted with the more serious charges are Connie Edwards, 60; Brandi Bivins, 30; Shirley Price, 44; Angela Mitchell, 35; Tamara Ledom, 36; Brittany Edwards,19; Dustin Price, 23; and Joel Keith Price, 54; who are all indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine and methamphetamine that resulted in death and serious bodily injury occurring from March 1, 2009, to Feb. 28, 2012, in Ottawa. Connie Edwards and Ledom also are charged with one count of distributing hydrocodone, methadone and carisoprodol that caused a death and a serious bodily injury, occurring May 9, 2009. Connie Edwards is also charged with two counts of distributing oxycodone, one count of maintaining a residence at 412 S. Sycamore in in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of maintaining a residence at 1038 S. Locust in in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of maintaining a residence at 816 Lincoln in ottawa in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Mitchell is charged with one count of maintaining a residence at 412 S. Sycamore in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of maintaining a residence at 1038 S. Locust in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of maintaining a residence at 816 Lincoln in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Bivens is charged with one count of distributing oxycodone, and one count of maintaining a residence at 1742 S. Elm, No. 2 in furtherance of drug trafficking. Shirley Price is charged with four counts of distributing oxycodone, five counts of distributing morphine, one count of maintaining a residence at 1038 S. Locust in furtherance of drug trafficking. Ledom is charged with one count of distributing oxycodone and one count of maintaining a residence at 816 Lincoln. in ottawa in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Monday, July 16, 1 p.m.
