Medication theft leads to jail time for Gray
Danielle Gray, seated, hears the sentence handed down by Judge Crow. Her attorney, Karen Justice, standing, had tried to argue for the plea agreement to be upheld. Photo by Carrie Gloeckner.
POMEROY – Danielle Gray was sentenced on a charge of theft Monday in the Meigs County Court of Common Pleas by Judge Carson Crow.
Judge Crow handed down the sentence of 12 months in prison, rejecting the plea agreement that had been set up by the previous prosecuting attorney, Colleen Williams, consisting of drug treatment and community control.
Gray, 30, of Rutland, had been charged with one count of Theft and/or Grand Theft, a felony of the fifth degree. She entered a guilty plea which was accepted by the court and she was convicted of taking pain medication from a family member. As outlined by Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James Stanley, the victim was prescribed the pain medication because the individual has terminal cancer. Gray previously had been given the opportunity to enter into various drug programs. She received Vivitrol shots, but then tested positive for cocaine and dropped the program. Vivitrol blocks the high for OxyContin type drugs, but has no effect on cocaine highs and use.
Theda Petrasko, victim’s advocate, was asked by Judge Crow about the victim’s wishes in the matter. Petrasko said there were actually two victims in the case, the victim and the victim’s significant other. She said at the time, both had been in agreement with the plea arrangement of Gray receiving treatment and probation.
Judge Crow gave Gray the opportunity to address the court before sentencing was handed down; Gray had nothing to say. Her attorney, Karen Justice, had argued for the judge to fully accept the plea agreement. Justice said her client was “clean and sober today” without using Suboxone or Vivitrol.
Gray sat stunned, at one point with mouth open in disbelief, when Judge Crow said instead of the plea agreement, she would be sentenced to 12 months in prison. She was immediately taken into custody following the sentencing hearing. In addition to prison time, Gray will have to pay for the cost of prosecution of her case. No fine additional fine was imposed on top of the prosecution costs.
Gray was indicted by a Meigs County Grand Jury on February 4, 2016. She had been scheduled for a jury trial on July 19, 2016 and then again on November 3, 2016 when she entered a guilty plea and was convicted of the charge.
