Ashland woman headed to trial on drug delivery resulting in death charges

Apr. 9—SUNBURY — A Schuylkill County woman will go to trial on felony charges of drug delivery resulting in death stemming from a 2023 incident that claimed the life of a 15-year-old Mount Carmel resident.

Northumberland County Judge Hugh Jones on Tuesday said there was enough evidence to proceed with the case.

Victoria Mowry, of Centre Street, Ashland, with her defense attorney Cory Leshner, sought to dismiss the felony charges. Jones ruled after hearing testimony there was enough evidence to proceed with the case.

Jones did dismiss charges of criminal conspiracy but said the drug delivery resulting in death, delivery of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of involuntary manslaughter would head to trial.

Mount Carmel police say Mowry is responsible for the fentanyl that was used in the overdose death of Ricky Payne of Hickory Street.

During Tuesday's hearing, Christopher Payne, who was originally charged with the same offenses, admitted to getting a deal from the district attorney's office to plead to the misdemeanor charge of involuntary manslaughter in exchange for his testimony against Mowry. Christopher Payne testified from Northumberland County Jail and told Jones he and Mowry would drive to Philadelphia to pick up the drugs, and often use them before returning to Northumberland County.

Mount Carmel Officer Evan Freiler filed all the charges.

Christopher Payne testified he would purchase the drugs from Mowry and that his brother, Ricky Payne, used them the night he overdosed and was found dead.

Freiler testified that during his investigation, he discovered through search warrants that Christopher Payne was deleting social media messages between him and Mowry.

Northumberland County Assistant District Attorney David Albertson is prosecuting the case.