Man to plead guilty in Belcourt painkiller case

MINOT, N.D. (AP) – A former pharmacy worker plans to plead guilty to stealing painkillers from a North Dakota American Indian hospital that was the basis of a congressional investigation by former Sen. Byron Dorgan.

Timothy Davis Jr. is charged in federal court with conspiracy to possess and distribute hydrocodone, and acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation.

Court documents accuse Davis of manipulating the inventory while he worked as a pharmacy technician with the Quentin N. Burdick Memorial Hospital in Belcourt. Authorities say 48,710 hydrocodone pills were reported missing between May 2009 and June 2010.

Dorgan's report revealed “chronic mismanagement and a lack of employee accountability” at the hospital.

Candace Keplin, John Allery and Jordan Delong have been charged in the case. The four defendants are accused of selling the pills for profit.