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Bridgeport reeling after mayor’s arrest

Exponent Telegram photo by Matt Harvey Bridgeport Mayor Mario Blount is led into U.S. District Court by Deputy Marshal Derek Patrick and a Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force agent.
Exponent Telegram photo by Matt Harvey
Bridgeport Mayor Mario Blount is led into U.S. District Court by Deputy Marshal Derek Patrick and a Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force agent.

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Citing the nexus between prescription drug addiction and deadly heroin, U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II and DEA division chief Karl C. Colder announced the arrest of Bridgeport’s mayor, who’s also a pharmacist.

Mario Blount, 51, who lives in Bridgeport and works in Weston, was indicted on three federal felony charges: A conspiracy to possess/distribute prescription painkillers oxycodone and oxymorphone; distribution of oxycodone; and making a material fraudulent omission in the record-keeping of controlled substances.

The Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration allege Blount conspired with Angela “Angie” Davis, 50, and her daughter April Davis, 23, both of Bridgeport, from November 2011 through March 14 in Bridgeport.

The agencies allege Blount filled a prescription “outside the scope of his professional practice” last July 6 in Bridgeport, according to Ihlenfeld.

Blount also filled a prescription last July 6 in Bridgeport and failed to report it to the Board of Pharmacy, the Drug Task Force and DEA allege.

Angela Davis tried to fraudulently obtain possession of oxycodone July 6 in Bridgeport, and also attempted to distribute oxycodone Feb. 20 in Bridgeport, according to Ihlenfeld.

The indictment also contains a forfeiture seeking a money judgment of at least $45,000.

“Mr. Blount abused the trust of the citizens of Bridgeport and the customers of Best Care Pharmacy,” Colder said. “These arrests serve as a warning that the illicit distribution of controlled substances will not be tolerated in Harrison County.

“Over approximately three years, Mr. Blount illegally dispensed over 11,000 oxycodone and oxymorphone pills,” Colder said. “These arrests are the culmination of a 10-month investigation, which truly exemplifies the strong working partnership between the DEA and the Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.”

The investigation is ongoing, according to Ihlenfeld.

“To be clear, there are other medical professionals who are on the radar,” Ihlenfeld said.

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