Elderly Woman Admits Guilt as Drug Dealer

By Cecilia Green

Published on October 14, 2005

Juanita Ferguson Edwards, 79, was sentenced to five years probation after admitting that she was a drug dealer. The woman, who claimed she would never do it again, received a light sentence since she was a first-time offender with no previous criminal history.

Juanita, who lives with her husband of 40 years, was caught in 2004 after selling prescription drugs to undercover police officers from her home.

Juanita began selling prescription drugs including Xanax and Soma, after the son of a family friend, who was a drug user, pleaded for the woman and her husband to sell him the pills.

The boy later brought undercover police into the transactions, and Juanita sold the drugs to the officers too.

In addition to her probation, Juanita agreed to give up the $3,145 that was seized from her home by police instead of a fine. Her daughter has also been appointed as Juanita's guardian so she will not repeat the crime.

If Juanita does sell drugs again, she may be sentenced up to 30 years in prison.

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