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Arraignment held Thursday afternoon

The Tidioute woman charged with stealing prescription medications from patients at a Warren nursing home is being held on $50,000 bail.

Kellie A. Gentz, 30, was charged with a felony count of acquiring controlled substances by misrepresentation as well as misdemeanor charges including five counts of possession of a controlled substance and single counts of neglect of care – dependent person, simple assault, theft by unlawful taking and recklessly endangering another person.

The charges were filed by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office on Thursday at District Justice Raymond Zydonik’s office.

“The Attorney General’s special agents did an exemplary job,” District Attorney Rob Greene said.

While Greene said the investigation was initially undertaken by City of Warren Police and his office, it was eventually determined to hand the investigation to the Attorney General’s office due to, Greene said, the specialized nature of the case.

While the Attorney General’s office did the investigation, the prosecution will be handled by Greene’s office.

Gentz appeared at Zydonik’s office for a 2:30 p.m. preliminary arraignment.

Zydonik advised her that the purpose of the proceeding was fourfold – to advise her of the charges, advise her of her right to counsel, schedule a preliminary hearing and set bail.

He specifically noted that this was “not the time to discuss the case.”

“You need to have an attorney represent you,” he said after reading the charges and setting the preliminary hearing date for September 12.

He asked her several questions about her living situation, family, past drug and alcohol use and her prior record before describing these offenses as “pretty egregious charges.”

Zydonik told Gentz he had an opportunity to read the information.

“This is not good,” he said.

On the question of bail, District Attorney Rob Greene asked Zydonik for a minimum of $50,000 secured.

He said the charges are “very serious,” including forging documents for drugs. He alleged that she “basically tortured” one of the patients “that needed pain killers.”

Greene explained that the offense gravity score – which will suggest sentencing ranges – for one of the charges includes a standard range sentence of 22 months.

That range puts a state prison sentence on the table.

Zydonik then ruled that “given the nature of the charges” and their “seriousness” that he was setting bail at $50,000.

She was remanded to the Warren County Jail after the proceeding by Warren County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Online court records indicate that she was unable to post bail.

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