U.S. District Attorney Booth Goodwin announced Friday morning that criminal charges have been filed against Gabriella Brown for obtaining a quantity of oxycodone by fraud from the Beckley Police Department evidence holding room.
Brown, who was the evidence technician at the department, has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal information charge, according to Goodwin.
Goodwin said when this case came to light at the end of August, pills had been submitted to the evidence room and when an officer came to collect the evidence, 22 pills were missing.
“She admits as part of the plea agreement that she has stolen narcotics on a number of other occasions.”
Goodwin said the case will be assigned to a federal district judge and a motion to schedule a guilty plea hearing will be made.
He said at this point, he could not put a number on the total amount of narcotics Brown acquired, but she has agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Brown would face a maximum of four years in prison, but Goodwin said sentencing guidelines may not require the maximum sentence.
He said he does not anticipate any additional charges to be filed against Brown.
“It is critical that she has agreed to cooperate so we can bring this matter to a swift conclusion.”
He said he believes this was the appropriate resolution to the matter.
“At this point, we are not foreclosing the possibility, but all indications are that she is the only person involved.”
Goodwin said he has spoken with Chief Tim Deems, who said Brown resigned her position from BPD as of Thursday.
“This provided a wake-up call, not just at the Beckley Police Department, but for all police departments, to make sure checks and balances are in place.”
Goodwin added, “I have every confidence that nothing like this will happen again.”
— E-mail: wholdren@register-herald.com
Today's Front Page
Former Beckley PD technician charged
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Beckley Council will take no further action against Pugh
After seeking outside legal guidance to determine whether Beckley Common Council could remove Mayor Emmett Pugh from office, Councilmen-at-Large Tim Berry and Cedric Robertson have recommended that no further action should be taken against the mayor.
Although they have elected not to take action to remove the mayor from office, the two said according to their attorney, they had a right to do so.
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Miley officially takes gavel as Speaker of the House
Judiciary chairman Tim Miley was elected speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates Tuesday in a strictly party line vote over Tim Armstead. Miley collected 53 votes and Armstead, D-Kanawha, 44. Three delegates were absent.
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Heavy rains cause flooding issues around Raleigh County
Every time a heavy rain comes to the area, Jerry Fox and Dollie Stilton’s home on Ewart Avenue floods, the couple said Tuesday.
Heavy rains in the area Monday night and steady showers throughout the region Tuesday morning caused a nearby creek to rise and water from run-off to flow into their backyard. -
First 1.36 miles of New River Parkway completed
U.S. Rep. Nick Joe Rahall, D-W.Va., was in Summers County Monday morning to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the New River Parkway.
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Trap Hill teacher fired by BOE for alleged sexual text messages
The Raleigh County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday morning to fire a Trap Hill Middle School teacher accused of sending inappropriate texts to her student.
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Mingo sheriff murder suspect denied bail
A West Virginia man accused of gunning down Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum was denied bail Monday prior to his first-degree murder trial, even as defense lawyers questioned whether evidence showed the killing was planned.
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Man arrested in alleged sex assault of hospital patient
A Fayette County man was lodged in Southern Regional Jail Monday for the alleged sexual assault of a female patient at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital, Beckley Police said.
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Delegates to pick speaker of the House today at noon
Minority Leader Tim Armstead considers Tim Miley a good friend but is openly skeptical that the incoming Democratic speaker of the House can move legislation needed to reform taxes, the legal climate and education.
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You can still call us while we’re in temporary offices
As Beckley Newspapers continues its transition into another location during the temporary closure of our plant at 801 North Kanawha Street we are asking that those needing to get in contact with our various departments please call the following numbers and leave a message with a return telephone number. We will return your calls as soon as
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BOE votes unanimously to fire Trap Hill teacher
The Raleigh County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday morning to fire a Trap Hill Middle School teacher accused of sending inappropriate texts to her student.
Lori Lester, the teacher, did not attend the meeting, which she had requested prior to last Tuesday's regular BOE meeting. - More Today's Front Page Headlines
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Beckley Council will take no further action against Pugh
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