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Fourth Person Admits Trafficking High-Dosage Oxycodone Pills in Gloucester City Drug Ring

Gloucester City

A Camden County man admitted today to buying and reselling high-dosage oxycodone pills in Gloucester City, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Kenneth Rushworth, 59, of Gloucester City, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of oxycodone. He is the fourth individual to plead guilty for his role in drug trafficking operations based in Gloucester City and Camden.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In communications that were intercepted during a wiretap investigation led by the FBI, Rushworth asked Rocco DePoder to provide Rushworth with $1,100 for high-dosage oxycodone pills on January 25.

Rushworth and DePoder then met in Gloucester City and, in exchange for the $1,100, Rushworth sold DePoder a quantity of 60 mg. oxycodone pills, which Rushworth had purchased from another individual for $900. Rushworth was aware that DePoder intended to re-distribute those high-dose pills.

On July 7, Wayne Muse pleaded guilty to his involvement in the drug trafficking operations with DePoder and Erick Bell. DePoder, Bell, and others were charged in criminal complaints in March 2020.

On August 11, Robert Pratt, 57, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, formerly of Blackwood, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of oxycodone.

On August 12, Steven Walker, 47, of Camden, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of oxycodone and one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of oxycodone.

The individuals who have pleaded guilty await sentencing.

The charges against DePoder and Bell remain pending, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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