An Ottawa, Kansas woman has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a prescription drug trafficking ring. The investigation took on deadly significance when a man who bought drugs from the organization overdosed and died.

Connie Edwards, 60, is scheduled for sentencing March 4 for her guilty plea charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute prescription drugs. In her plea, she admitted she conspired with others to distribute oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine and other prescription drugs in Ottawa.

According to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom, lawyers in the case have agreed to recommend Edwards be sentenced to 25 years in federal prison and pay a forfeiture judgment of $632,930.

Franklin County investigators say Edwards rented to people and accepted prescription pills in payment. She then sold the pills and accepted stolen property in payment for the drugs.

On May 10, 2009, William Thomas Powell, who bought drugs from the Edwards’ organization, was found unconscious in the living room of his mother’s home. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed that he died from taking a toxic combination of methadone, hydrocodone and carisoprodol.

Investigators learned that the afternoon before he died Powell went to Edwards’ house, where he bought a white powder he was told was methamphetamine. In fact, one of Edwards’ associates produced the powder by crushing prescription pills including hydrocodone, methadone and carisoprodol. He also purchased prescription pills from Edwards.

Powell then took the pills and injected the substance he believed was methamphetamine, creating a toxic combination that caused his death.

Federal authorities have charged numerous co-defendants in the case, all from Ottawa:
*Brittany Edwards pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and is set for sentencing Feb. 25.
*Shirley Price pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and is set for sentencing Dec. 12.
*Dustin Price pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and is set for sentencing Feb. 25.
*Joel Keith Price pleaded guilty to conspiracy and is set for sentencing Feb. 25.
*Morgan Price pleaded guilty to possession of morphine and is set for sentencing March 4.
*Brandi Bivens is awaiting trial.
*Angela Mitchell is awaiting trial.
*Tamara Ledom is awaiting trail.
*Florence Edwards is awaiting trail.

The Ottawa Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri McCracken is prosecuting.