Greensburg Daily News, Greensburg, IN

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February 8, 2013

Two charged with dealing prescription medication

Brent Brown Greensburg Daily News

Greensburg — Two Greensburg residents are behind bars following a drug investigation conducted by the Greensburg Police Department.

Charging Information filed in the Decatur Circuit Court Friday indicates Heather A. Denney, 37, of 430 West Walnut Street in Greensburg, has been arrested and charged with two counts of dealing in a Schedule II controlled substance, a class “A” felony. Denney also faces a charge of maintaining a common nuisance, a class “D” felony.

Billy Joe Benefiel, 61, who shares a residence with Denney, faces identical charges.

Greensburg police officers assert Denney and Benefiel sold a total of seven morphine pills to cooperating police sources on two different occasions earlier this week. The suspects earned $140 for the pills, which were obtained legally by Benefiel via prescription. Benefiel acquired the prescription at a pharmacy in Osgood earlier this week.

Police executed a search warrant at the home of Benefiel and Denney Thursday afternoon. During the search, Benefiel led officers to a safe in his bedroom in which the suspect said he keeps his medication. Benefiel told police he uses approximately five morphine pills per day, but many pills were found to be missing from the bottle.

Benefiel’s wallet was searched and found to contain four $20 bills that matched the serial numbers of those used in the drug buys. The other $60 was not located, and the Greensburg Police Department is seeking restitution from the suspects in that amount.

Also found inside the residence was a handgun with a loaded magazine as well as a police issue Sig Sauer .357 handgun alleged to have been sold to Benefiel by the son of a retired Greensburg police officer. Benefiel said he purchased the .25 caliber handgun at a yard sale. The weapons, pills, a cellphone and Benefiel’s wallet were taken from the home as evidence in the case.

Both Benefiel and Denney were arrested Thursday following execution of the search warrant. In separate recorded interviews after their arrests, both admitted to using and selling prescription medication.

Both suspects remained incarcerated in the Decatur County Jail at press time Friday. No bond had been set for their release.



Contact: Brent Brown 812-663-3111 x7056

 

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