Couple jailed in connection with undercover prescription drug sting
BY SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
1/16/13 at 3:44 AM
MUSKOGEE - A Maysville couple were jailed in Muskogee on allegations that they tried to sell prescription narcotics to undercover officers.
Jimmie Warren Sumpter, 67, and Caroline Sue Hawbaker, 66, are each held on complaints of drug possession with an intent to distribute and unlawful delivery of a narcotic.
Muskogee County sheriff's investigator Ryan Lowe said authorities set up the sting after receiving an anonymous tip.
Lowe said Sumpter spoke with an undercover officer on the phone several times to agree on a price for the drugs and a pickup location.
Authorities said Sumpter and Hawbaker drove about 165 miles from their home in Maysville in Garvin County, south of Oklahoma City, to Oktaha, south of Muskogee, to deliver the drugs.
"We met off the side of U.S. 69," Lowe said. "They produced 359 pills with a street value of $2,154."
He said Sumpter was carrying $4,617 in cash, which was seized.
Lowe said the pills - Soma, Xanax, Norco and Lortab - were from the couple's own prescriptions.
"They advised that they used the money to pay bills and gambled with their Social Security income," he said.
Lowe said the couple were caught off guard by the sting.
Sumpter's criminal history includes a DUI and burglary charge from many years ago, Lowe said. Hawbaker had a clean record.
Associated Images:
Jimmie Warren Sumpter and Caroline Sue Hawbaker: They reportedly told authorities they used the drug money to pay bills and gambled with their Social Security income.
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