Large-Scale Counterfeit Pill Manufacturer Sentenced To 13 Years In Federal Prison
Defendant sought to import kilograms of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the U.S. and obtained $40,000 in fraudulent PPP loans
BOSTON – A Cambridge, Mass. man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston in connection with an investigation of large-scale manufacturing of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Defendant communicated directly with illegal chemical supplier in China.
Schuyler Oppenheimer, a/k/a “SK,” a/k/a “Michael Sylvain,” 35, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 13 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In January 2026, Oppenheimer pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of wire fraud. In July 2025, Oppenheimer was arrested and charged. He was subsequently indicted in August 2025.
Oppenheimer was technically skilled in the chemical processes used in the synthesis of fentanyl, the compounding of controlled substances for distribution and the manufacturing of counterfeit pills. During the investigation, recipes, pill press molds used in the manufacturing process, documents and invoices demonstrating that Oppenheimer purchased numerous pill presses and parts for pill presses from online vendors were seized. Multiple packages shipped from China to Oppenheimer, and various female associates of Oppenheimer, that contained pill press parts, were also seized during the investigation.
Based on the review of orders and invoices from companies selling powders and other substances used in the pill manufacturing process since 2019, Oppenheimer obtained over 200 kilograms of these filler powders and manufacturing materials. According to the recipes recovered during the investigation, when manufactured into counterfeit pills, 200 kilograms of filler powder equates to millions of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Additionally, Oppenheimer communicated directly with an illegal chemical supplier based in China and inquired about the availability of controlled substances and fentanyl precursor chemicals and sought to import kilogram quantities of these substances. Fentanyl precursor chemicals are substances that can be used to synthesize raw fentanyl in a laboratory setting.
During a search in Cambridge on July 18, 2024, over five kilograms of suspected counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine and a loaded firearm were recovered. Based on prior felony convictions, Oppenheimer is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Lastly, Oppenheimer obtained over $40,000 through two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications that were submitted in April 2021. Oppenheimer submitted false statements concerning his income through self-employment for the 2019 tax years and provided false tax return documents substantiating that income.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Jennifer B. De La O, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cambridge Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
