KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Eight defendants from Ottawa, Kan., could face penalties up to life in federal prison if convicted on charges of distributing prescription drugs that caused a death and serious bodily injury, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

In March, the defendants initially were charged with drug trafficking. Today, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment with new charges that refer to the death and serious bodily injury, which increases the maximum potential penalties to life imprisonment.

Connie Edwards, 60, Ottawa, Kan.; Brandi Bivins, 30, Ottawa, Kan.; Shirley Price, 44, Ottawa, Kan.; Angela Mitchell, 35, Ottawa, Kan.; Tamara Ledom, 36, Ottawa, Kan.; Brittany Edwards, 19, Ottawa, Kan.; Dustin Price, 23, Ottawa, Kan.; and Joel Keith Price, 54, Ottawa, Kan., are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Methadone, Morphine and methamphetamine that resulted in death and serious bodily injury. The crime is alleged to have occurred from March 1, 2009, to Feb. 28, 2012, in Ottawa, Kan.

Connie Edwards and Tamara Ledom also are charged with one count of distributing Hydrocodone, Methadone and Carisoprodol that caused a death and a serious bodily injury. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 9, 2009, in Ottawa.

The indictment does not give the name of the male victim who died May 9, 2009 in Ottawa, or the name of another male victim who was hospitalized in April 2009 in Ottawa, as a result of consuming the drugs.

In addition:
Connie Edwards is charged with two counts of distributing Oxycodone, one count of maintaining a residence at 412 S. Sycamore in Ottawa in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of maintaining a residence at 1038 S. Locust in Ottawa 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.
Angela Mitchell is charged with one count of maintaining a residence at 412 S. Sycamore in Ottawa in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of maintaining a residence at 1038 S. Locust in Ottawa in furtherance of drug trafficking and 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.
Brandi Bivens is charged with one count of distributing Oxycodone, and one count of maintaining a residence at 1742 South Elm, No. 2, in Ottawa 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 Ottawa in furtherance of drug trafficking
Tamara 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.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy: Not less than 20 years and not more than life and a fine up to $1 million on each count.
Distributing Oxycodone or Morphine: A maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Maintaining a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
Conspiracy to commit money laundering: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.

The Ottawa Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri McCracken is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

 

 

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