HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that a Clarion County jury has found a woman guilty for her role in delivering fentanyl to a man who died of a fentanyl overdose.
Elva Marie Warner-Confer, 42, was found guilty late yesterday of drug delivery resulting in death – a first-degree felony– delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver. She was charged last year by Pennsylvania State Police and the Office of Attorney General after Donald Leroy Brown, 35, was found dead in his Clarion home.
In the days before his death, Brown called Confer and told her he needed fentanyl patches. The day before Brown died, Confer confirmed to a witness that she provided Brown with three fentanyl patches that she had bought from another woman, Jennifer Lorraine Best, who was also charged in connection with the fatal overdose and is awaiting trial.
“If you sell drugs and someone dies as a result, you’re facing a felony and jail,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “We’re using every tool at our disposal to hold drug dealers accountable for the devastation they’re causing in communities across Pennsylvania. That includes this charge of drug delivery resulting in death.”
Since Attorney General Shapiro took office in January 2017, his office has arrested or prosecuted 27 defendants for drug delivery resulting in death. The Office of Attorney General has leveled this felony charge against doctors as well as drug dealers.
“The opioid painkiller involved in this case is one of the most powerful ever made available by prescription,” said Clarion County District Attorney Mark Aaron, who assisted with the prosecution. “The diversion of these powerful drugs from their intended use far too often lead to tragic, unnecessary deaths like this one.”
Sentencing is expected to occur within 90 days, following a pre-sentence investigation. The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Marnie Sheehan-Balchon and Clarion County District Attorney Aaron. Attorney General Shapiro praised the Clarion County District Attorney’s Office for its help on the case. “Law enforcement collaboration between my office and District Attorney Aaron helps make Clarion County safer,” Shapiro said. “We’re grateful for his work.”
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