Millersburg couple admits to selling meds
A Millersburg couple who sold prescription medication are facing prison time after pleading guilty to trafficking charges Thursday, July 14, in Holmes County Common Pleas Court.
Jorgena Moran, 26, and Steven M. Moran, 31, both of 101 Lakeview Drive, each pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a schedule IV drug. The charges are fifth-degree felonies and carry up to 12 months in prison.
The charges stem from Feb. 15, when a confidential informant working with Medway Drug Enforcement Agency purchased 20 Alprazolam pills from the Morans. According to Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling, Steven Moran “handled the money and (Jorgena) handled the pills.”
The buy was the second the informant had made from the Morans, also for $60. In exchange for Jorgena Moran and Steven Moran pleading guilty, a second charge of trafficking was dropped.
Steven Moran’s attorney, Jeff Kellogg, said the pills were prescribed legally to his client. Alprazolam is an anti-anxiety drug similar to Valium.
“(Steven Moran) was not using drugs, there is no evidence he was using illegal drugs,” Kellogg said. “He was selling drugs prescribed to him.”
Common Pleas Court Judge Robert D. Rinfret ordered presentence investigations and scheduled sentencing for Sept. 20. Rinfret said he will order restitution of the $120 buy money used by Medway to make the transactions.
Jorgena Moran, 26, and Steven M. Moran, 31, both of 101 Lakeview Drive, each pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a schedule IV drug. The charges are fifth-degree felonies and carry up to 12 months in prison.
The charges stem from Feb. 15, when a confidential informant working with Medway Drug Enforcement Agency purchased 20 Alprazolam pills from the Morans. According to Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling, Steven Moran “handled the money and (Jorgena) handled the pills.”
The buy was the second the informant had made from the Morans, also for $60. In exchange for Jorgena Moran and Steven Moran pleading guilty, a second charge of trafficking was dropped.
Steven Moran’s attorney, Jeff Kellogg, said the pills were prescribed legally to his client. Alprazolam is an anti-anxiety drug similar to Valium.
“(Steven Moran) was not using drugs, there is no evidence he was using illegal drugs,” Kellogg said. “He was selling drugs prescribed to him.”
Common Pleas Court Judge Robert D. Rinfret ordered presentence investigations and scheduled sentencing for Sept. 20. Rinfret said he will order restitution of the $120 buy money used by Medway to make the transactions.
Published: July 17, 2011
