
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 9, 1993                   TAG: 9305090217
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

USAIR TO BE TOLD OF MAN'S DRUG PLEA

A Roanoke judge on Friday told probation officers to notify USAir that one of its airplane mechanics has pleaded guilty to obtaining prescription painkillers by fraud.

Dennis Wayne Darnell, 37, of the 6900 Block of Tinderdale Road entered guilty pleas earlier this year to eight counts of obtaining Percocet by fraud.

Prosecutors say Darnell is a USAir mechanical inspector at Roanoke Regional Airport. Airline officials could not be reached Friday to determine if the charges would affect Darnell's duties.

Jeff Rudd, attorney for Darnell, said there is no evidence that his client is "abusing substances that would affect his on-the-job performance."

Circuit Judge Clifford Weckstein has ruled there is sufficient evidence to find Darnell guilty on the prescription charges, but withheld a formal conviction until the completion of a background investigation.

Friday, Weckstein ordered Darnell to spend 48 hours in jail after testimony showed he had missed appointments with a counselor, according to Salem Commonwealth's Attorney Fred King.

Darnell's sentencing hearing was continued until July 7, King said.

Darnell has pleaded guilty to five felony counts in Roanoke and four felonies in Salem, according to King and Regional Drug Prosecutor Melvin Hill.

by CNB