The director of a Lawrence County ministry has been charged with two felonies after allegedly paying an undercover agent $100 for 10 placebo pills presented as prescription pain medication, according to court records filed Friday.
Danny Lee Whitmire, 63, who leads Jumpstart Ministries, faces charges of using a communications device in the commission of a drug-related crime, a Class C felony, and possession of a counterfeit substance, a Class D felony. The charges stem from an undercover operation conducted by the Third Judicial Drug Task Force.
A probable cause affidavit outlines the investigation, stating that Whitmire was introduced to an undercover agent on September 3. At the time, Whitmire was reportedly in contact with another individual via cellphone regarding the purchase of prescription pain medication for his wife.
During their meeting, the agent offered Whitmire 10 placebo tablets, which were represented as 30-milligram oxycodone hydrochloride tablets. According to the affidavit, Whitmire paid $100 for the pills. He also allegedly informed the agent that he usually bought Percocet tablets from another person and expected that individual to have more available later that weekend. Whitmire reportedly exchanged phone numbers with the agent, stating he would be in contact if his regular supplier could not deliver additional tablets.
A judge found probable cause to issue an arrest warrant on Thursday, and the affidavit was formally filed Friday in Lawrence County Circuit Court. Whitmire is expected to appear in court on December 7.