Teen put on probation on drug charges

STAFF REPORT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A teenager who was found guilty of selling a girl the same kind of drug that killed her has been put on probation.

Joshua Stewart, 17, was not implicated in the girl’s death, but was found delinquent of possession with intent to deliver, in Lawrence County juvenile court after a court hearing in March.

Erica Jo Million, 16, died in March 2007, five days after she took the pain killer oxycodone.

Two teenagers testified at the March hearing that they saw Stewart sell Million pills in a Spanish class at New Castle High School, and one said he overheard Stewart indicate there were 13 pills.

Police found 13 oxycodone pills in Million’s purse after she fell unconscious at school Feb. 27 and was taken to the hospital.

Because there were still 13 pills in the purse, the Lawrence County district attorney’s office said it couldn’t link them to the oxycodone that killed her. So, Stewart was never charged in connection with her death.

Stewart’s disposition hearing was Tuesday. Judge John W. Hodge’s order doesn’t specify how long his probation will be.