Carnival Ride Operator Busted For Selling Drugs

A 40-year-old carnival ride operator at this past weekend’s Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield was arrested for selling drugs while operating the ride.

Crisfield Police say Eric Kovach was working at the 64^th annual event for Sherwood Amusement Rides.

Undercover officers were sent to the Derby and one of them was able to purchase oxycodone from Kovach. Police say when they arrested Kovach he appeared to be under the influence of drugs himself.

He was taken to the Somerset County Detention Center and was later released after posting $25,000 bail.

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CRISFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE

On 9/4/2011 at approximately 7:27 pm,  the Crisfield Police Department received certain information that an individual working for Sherwood Amusement Rides was selling drugs while operating one of the rides at the Crab Derby on Marina grounds. The Crisfield Police Department sent two CPD undercover officers into the grounds and observed the individual dealing prescription oxycodone. One of the undercover officers approached the suspect and bought oxycodone from him, the undercover  left the area. A decision was made to contact the management of the Amusement rides and move in an arrest the suspect because it appeared that he was under the influence of drugs himself. The suspect was arrested without incident and management took over the operation of the ride.

ARRESTED:
Eric Wayne Kovach
31360 Eden Allen Rd.
Eden, Maryland
W/M/1-6-1971

Charged with:
CDS Distribution
CDS Narcotics Unlawful Manufacturing & Distributing
Held at Somerset County Detention Center on $25,000 bail, he has since bailed out of jail.

Source;  http://www.wgmd.com/?p=34132

Nursing Director Faces Drug Fraud Charges

PRINCESS ANNE -- The nursing director at Manokin Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center has been charged with forging a prescription for oxycodone and trying to get it filled at a local pharmacy.

Pamela Brittingham Quillen, 39, of Jones Road in Pocomoke City, was arrested Aug. 24 by Maryland State Police, according to District Court records.

She was released the same day on $5,000 bond.

Quillen is accused of forging the signatures of Vincent Lewis, a physician's assistant who works at the nursing home, and Dr. Vel Natesan, a Salisbury internist, according to court documents.

The prescription was taken to Karemore Pharmacy in Princess Anne where a staff member contacted Natesan's office to verify it.

After a copy of the prescription was faxed to the doctor's office, Natesan and Lewis confirmed the signature was a forgery, police said.

Natesan's office manager then contacted state police.

State police obtained a surveillance video from the store and showed it to the nursing home's administrator, Bonnie Stone, who identified Quillen, according to court records.

The time on the tape, about 11 a.m. Aug. 22, coincided with a time when Quillen left work to run errands, police said.

A trial date has been set for Oct. 14 in District Court in Princess Anne.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110831/NEWS01/108310382/Nursing-director-faces-drug-fraud-charges