Pills and Power: Three Mercer County Residents Plead Guilty to Distributing Prescription Painkillers
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – In a shocking turn of events, three individuals from Mercer County have pleaded guilty to distributing powerful prescription painkillers. Darryl Shrader, 53, of Spanishburg, Bobby Michael Short Jr., 46, of Princeton, and Faith Michelle Akers, 44, of Princeton, each face up to 20 years in federal prison for their roles in the Bluefield Pill Initiative, a multi-agency regional law enforcement effort designed to halt prescription drug trafficking in southern West Virginia.
According to court documents, Shrader, Short, and Akers each sold hydromorphone pills to a confidential informant working in cooperation with law enforcement. The pill transactions took place in and around Mercer County. The powerful prescription painkiller, commonly known as Dilaudid, is a highly potent medication that can be deadly in large quantities.
The Bluefield Pill Initiative is a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local agencies, including the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming County Sheriff’s Departments, and the Bluefield and Princeton Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney John File is in charge of the prosecutions.
The guilty pleas were accepted by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber, who will sentence the defendants on March 10, 2014. The Bluefield Pill Initiative has been a major success, resulting in numerous arrests and convictions in the region.
The prescription painkiller scam has been a major concern in West Virginia, with many residents struggling with addiction. The efforts of law enforcement agencies to crack down on prescription drug trafficking have been instrumental in reducing the flow of these deadly medications into the region.
As the investigation continues, it is clear that the Bluefield Pill Initiative has made a significant impact in reducing prescription painkiller trafficking in southern West Virginia. The guilty pleas of Shrader, Short, and Akers are a major victory for law enforcement and a warning to those involved in this lucrative but deadly trade.
RELATED: Knox Place Narcotics Kingpin Gets 100-Month Sentence
RELATED: NY AG Orders Companies to Halt Sale of Toxic Skin Lighteners
Related Federal Cases
- Western Union Scam · Washington
- Three Sentenced for Role in Bluefield Prescription Pill Ring · West Virginia
- WV Biz Owner Cashed In on COVID Chaos · West Virginia
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- Justice Faces 20 Years for Child Pornography · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News