News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 04, 2009
Contact: Chuvalo J. Truesdell
PIO/AFD
Number: 404-893-7124

Effingham Couple Sentenced for Stolen Prescription Drugs

FEB 04 -- Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that Christopher Cox, age 35, and Sarah Kathryn Bardi, age 26, both of Effingham, South Carolina, were sentenced in federal court in Florence for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1). United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, sentenced Cox to 78 months in federal prison, and Bardi to 30 months.   Both were also ordered to pay restitution.

Cox and Bardi broke into the Pamplico Pharmacy on May 7, 2007, and stole controlled substances valued at $5,694.00.  The couple was living together at the time, and either consumed or sold the stolen prescription drugs, which consisted of OxyContin and  Percocet tablets.

The case was investigated by agents of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Florence office handled the case.

Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justhinktwice.com and www.dea.gov. DEA.gov takes you directly to the Diversion Control and Prescription Drugs link.