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BAD MEDICINE: Pictured, left to right, Sheriff Kenny Harden, Chief Deputy Joe Salter, Deputy Pearl Carter and Investigator Travis Johnson with the estimated 450 pills, cash and .22 caliber revolver seized from the home of Virgil Mitchell on Thursday afternoon. Mitchell is suspected of selling his prescription medication for profit.

Arrest made in drug sting

Staff

Published Friday, January 9, 2009

Sheriff's deputies have arrested one Butler County man on suspicion of selling prescription medication from his home according to Sheriff Kenny Harden.

Virgil "Buddy" Mitchell, 63, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance.

Harden said a sheriff's deputy acting undercover purchased seven tablets of the prescription drug Lortab from Mitchell at his residence on 941 Pettibone Rd. Thursday afternoon.

"We believe the suspect has been selling pills from his home for an untold number of months and we were finally able to move in and make an arrest," said Harden.

Deputies seized approximately 450 pills during a search of Mitchell's home, said Harden. He said Mitchell had prescriptions for all of the drugs - which included other brands like Valium and Xanax - but selling painkillers to others for profit is a felony.

Additionally, deputies recovered a bottle of illegal alcohol, a .22 caliber pistol and ammunition, and an untold amount of currency.

Mitchell was also charged with possession of untaxed liquor.

He was released on $33,000 bond from the Butler County Correctional Facility on Friday morning.

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