February 9, 2025

OTTAWA — A 60-year-old Ottawa woman could face 25 years in federal prison in connection with a prescription drug trafficking ring and the drug-related death of an Ottawa man three and a half years ago. Connie Edwards pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute prescription drugs. In her plea, Edwards admitted that over a five-year period ending Feb. 28, she was involved in a drug ring that distributed oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine and other prescription drugs in Ottawa, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. The Franklin County Drug Enforcement Unit began investigating early in 2010 when they received information that people working for Edwards were distributing prescription drugs, Grissom said. Sources told investigators Edwards rented to people who paid her in prescription pills and she accepted stolen property in payment for pills, he said. On May 10, 2009, William Thomas Powell, who bought drugs from the Edwards’ organization, was found unconscious in the living room of his mother’s home. He was pronounced dead when he was taken to a hospital. An autopsy revealed that he died from taking a toxic combination of methadone, hydrocodone and carisoprodol. Investigators learned that the afternoon before he died, Powell went to Edwards’ house, where he bought a white powder he was told was methamphetamine. However, one of Edwards’ confederates produced the powder by crushing prescription pills including hydrocodone, methadone and carisoprodol, Grissom said. Edwards was present when Powell bought the drugs, but the associate handled the sale. Later that evening, Powell purchased prescription pills from Edwards, who delivered the pills to Powell in a van outside the Hidden Meadows apartment complex in Ottawa, Grissom said. Powell then took the pills and injected the substance he believed was methamphetamine, creating a toxic combination that killed him. Investigators documented numerous incidents in which Powell and her associates sold prescription drugs, Grissom said. Sentencing is March 4. Grissom and her attorneys have agreed on a sentence of 25 years, and that she forfeit $632,930. Five others have pleaded guilty in the case, and four others are awaiting trial. Co-defendants include: Brittany Edwards, 20, Ottawa, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, sentencing Feb. 25; Shirley Price, 45, Ottawa, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, sentencing Dec. 12; Dustin Price, 24, Ottawa, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, sentencing Feb. 25; Joel Keith Price, 55, Ottawa, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy, sentencing Feb. 25; Morgan Price, 22, Ottawa, who pleaded guilty to possession of morphine, sentencing March 4. Those who are awaiting trial in federal court in connection with the drug ring are Brandi Bivens, 30; Angela Mitchell, 35; Tamara Ledom, 37; and Florence Edwards, 39; all of Ottawa.
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 3 p.m.

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