3:06pm: Hotline with Dave Weekley

Former Bridgeport mayor set to enter plea in federal court Friday

CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — The now former mayor of Bridgeport is scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday for a plea hearing.

Mario Blount faces three felony charges, including one count of false or fraudulent material omission, one count of distribution of oxymorphone and one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and oxymorphone.

Blount and co-defendants Angela and April Davis were indicted and arrested on June 3, accused of illegally dispensing over 11,000 oxycodone and oxymorphone pills for non-legitimate medical purposes over the course of three years. The alleged actions were conducted during his tenure as the Chief Pharmacist at Best Care Pharmacy.

The arrests came after a ten month investigation conducted in cooperation between the DEA and the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force which began with a raid of Best Care Pharmacy locations in Bridgeport, Lumberport and Belington after search warrants were executed by the task force in October 2013.

The evidence gathered during the raids was enough to bring charges against Blount and his co-conspirators.

Blount originally entered a plea of not guilty during his June 6 arraignment. However, more evidence came to light and he was named in an information filed on August 26, which typically indicates the defendant is cooperating and entering into a plea deal is imminent.

His co-defendants are expected to soon enter pleas as well.

Blount remained until Monday when he resigned during Bridgeport’s City Council meeting.

His plea hearing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keely at 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

If he pleads guilty to the charges against him listed in the original indictment, he faces up to 24 years in prison. However, if a plea deal is reached, he could plead guilty to a lesser charge.





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