A former city health department worker arrested on Aug. 2 and charged with distributing prescription painkillers and related offenses pleaded not guilty before a federal magistrate Tuesday.
Maria Josey, 46, of Francisville, has been held at the Federal Detention Center since her arrest. She will remain in custody until a bed becomes available at an inpatient residential drug-treatment facility, when she will be released on $25,000 personal-recognizance bond.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Phillips said in court last week that Josey admitted to federal agents when she was arrested that she had taken cocaine the night before.
