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03-16-2005, 03:04 AM
Store owner claims teen pestered her into medicine sale
By The Associated Press
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
A Cambria County convenience store owner was charged with child endangerment and corruption of minors for allegedly selling four boxes of cold medicine and two packs of cigarettes to a 14-year-old over a two-month period.
Defense attorney Robert D. Gleason didn't deny that Althea Jean Pecoraro, 37, owner of the Hilltop Candy Shop in Westmont sold the items. But Gleason said he expects to negotiate a plea agreement that will take into account that Pecoraro didn't know the boy was abusing the medicine.
"She was badgered by the juvenile to the point that she committee the infractions to terminate the incessant requests," Gleason said. "She had no idea the juvenile was going to utilize the Coricidin for an illegal purpose."
The cold medicine uses a cough suppressant known as DXM that is safe if used as directed but can cause a high that includes hallucinations, police said.
The four boxes contained 64 pills total and were sold over a two-month period ending March 3, police said.
A search of the student's locker turned up 40 of the cold pills, and police later learned the student had sold eight pills to another student. The student was not charged criminally.
Pecoraro was arraigned yesterday.
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review...y/s_313624.html (http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/newssummary/s_313624.html)
By The Associated Press
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
A Cambria County convenience store owner was charged with child endangerment and corruption of minors for allegedly selling four boxes of cold medicine and two packs of cigarettes to a 14-year-old over a two-month period.
Defense attorney Robert D. Gleason didn't deny that Althea Jean Pecoraro, 37, owner of the Hilltop Candy Shop in Westmont sold the items. But Gleason said he expects to negotiate a plea agreement that will take into account that Pecoraro didn't know the boy was abusing the medicine.
"She was badgered by the juvenile to the point that she committee the infractions to terminate the incessant requests," Gleason said. "She had no idea the juvenile was going to utilize the Coricidin for an illegal purpose."
The cold medicine uses a cough suppressant known as DXM that is safe if used as directed but can cause a high that includes hallucinations, police said.
The four boxes contained 64 pills total and were sold over a two-month period ending March 3, police said.
A search of the student's locker turned up 40 of the cold pills, and police later learned the student had sold eight pills to another student. The student was not charged criminally.
Pecoraro was arraigned yesterday.
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review...y/s_313624.html (http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/newssummary/s_313624.html)