Eight defendants plead guilty this week to drug charges

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As part of a Bluefield Pill Initiative, several people plead guilty this week to drug charges.

According to a release from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin’s Office, seven residents from Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming counties and one Virginia resident pleaded guilty in federal court this week in connection with an illegal prescription drug distribution conspiracy.

The following defendants pleaded guilty Thursday to using a telephone to commit a drug crime: Eric Lee Flack, 34, of Bluefield; Lori Megan Falls, 29, of Princeton; Kathy Burchett, 38, of Welch, McDowell County; and, Eric M. Tiller, 41, of Princeton, the release stated.

The following defendant pleaded guilty on Wednesday to using a telephone to commit a drug crime: Anthony Lee Madison, 23, of Bluefield, Va.

The released stated that the following defendants pleaded guilty to using a telephone to commit a drug crime: Danny Lee Decker, 42, of Mullens, Wyoming County; and, Edgar Junior Ponce, 32, of Oceana, Wyoming County.

All the telephone calls made by the defendants involved the distribution of oxycodone. Each defendant faces up to four years in federal prison when sentenced in December.

In addition, the release stated that Aaron Gamble, 30, of Princeton, pleaded guilty on Monday to distribution of oxycodone. Gamble faces up to 20 years in federal prison when sentenced in December.