Mingo County Woman Pleads Guilty for Role in Pharmacy Theft

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Marcia Evans, 60, of Gilbert, pled guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute the controlled substance Suboxone.  Stuart praised the investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy.

“The largest pharmacy theft in West Virginia since records have been maintained,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Apparently, wisdom doesn’t always come with experience.  The opiate crisis, including suboxone, comes in all shapes and sizes.  Young and old.  Rich and poor.  Suboxone, like other opiates, has had a devastating effect on families all over West Virginia, and now this 60-year-old woman must may the price for her terrible judgment.”

As part of her plea, Evans admitted her role in what the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy has called the largest pharmacy theft in West Virginia since records have been maintained by the Board. Evans was previously employed as a pharmacy technician at Riverside Pharmacy in Gilbert. Evans admitted that from 2014 to September 2016, she conspired with others to take Suboxone and Xanax from the supply at the pharmacy. In order to conceal the shortage of controlled substances, Evans manipulated the controlled substance count in the pharmacy’s computers. An audit was performed comparing shipment records with distribution records at the pharmacy, and a shortage of over 23,000 dosage units of Suboxone and over 137,000 dosage units of Xanax was revealed. Evans further admitted that she sold some of the Suboxone she stole from the pharmacy. In a related prosecution, Evans’ coconspirator, Kimberly McCoy, also admitted to her role in stealing Suboxone and Xanax from Riverside Pharmacy. McCoy previously pled guilty to obtaining Suboxone by fraud.

When she is sentenced on October 2, 2018, Evans faces up to10 years in prison. McCoy faces up to 4 years in prison when she is sentenced on August 29, 2018.

United States District Court Judge David A. Faber is presiding over the cases which are being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Haley Bunn. These investigations are the result of the formation of the Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit (OFADU), a Department of Justice initiative that uses data to identify and prosecute individuals that are contributors to the national opioid crisis.  The Southern District of West Virginia is one of 12 districts nationally to participate in the pilot program. 

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