LOUISA, Va. (WTVR)–Two people, including one former corrections officer, have been convicted of distributing drugs. Louisa Commonwealth’s Attorney Rusty McGuire announced Thursday Troy Hensley and Tiffany Vawter had been convicted in the drug case associated with the death of a twenty-four-year-old woman.
Officials say Hensley shared his prescription for the pain drug fentanyl with Vawter, the former corrections officer. Vawter passed the drug along to the victim, who died by choking on the fentanyl patch. Fentanyl can be up to 100 times more powerful than morphine. It is often prescribed as patches meant to be worn to slowly administer the drug.
On speaking on the conviction, McGuire said “this is a tragic case and demonstrates the dangers of drugs. We have far too many deaths from illegal use of prescription drugs. We hope this case sends two messages. One, do not take prescription drugs unless prescribed by a licensed physician and two you will be held accountable when you distribute drugs.”
Hensley was convicted of two counts of distribution of fentanyl and a burglary count for an unrelated matter. He is now serving four years in prison. Vawter was convicted of distribution of fentanyl and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2013. She faces up to ten years and prison.
