Florida man guilty of selling drugs in Whitley

Man could face $1M fine along with prison sentence

By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer

A Florida man is facing up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of possessing and distributing oxycodone in Whitley County.

Michael Bruce Walters, of Lecanto, Fla., pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in London to one count of possession of a quantity of pills containing oxycodone with intent to distribute. He was indicted on the charge by a federal grand jury in August 2008.

According to the affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, a confidential source contacted Walters on July 30, 2008 and on Aug. 6, 2008 to arrange the purchase of oxycodone. The affidavit states these phone conversations were recorded by law enforcement officials.

On Aug. 8, 2008, the confidential source purchased more than 50 pills for approximately $1,900 from Walters and Natasha Barton from a Whitley County residence, according to court documents. This transaction was video and audio recorded.

That same day, officials executed a search warrant on the Woodbine home of Donnie Barton, where Walters and Natasha Barton had sold pills to the confidential source earlier, documents state.

A search of Walters’ Dodge Dakota was also performed, where police found more than 170 OxyContin pills, 29 pills containing oxycodone and 122 tablets containing methadone, as well as 40 dosage units of alprazolam. Officials also located the money used by the confidential source to make the earlier transaction.

With his plea, Walters also faces a fine of up to $1 million and at least three years supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for Walters for May 14 in U.S. District Court in London.