DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
20 Results - Showing 1 to 10
PRESS RELEASE

Former Division Chief of Logistics for Kootenai County EMSS Sentenced in Drug Diversion Scheme

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho--Scott Higgins, 57, of Coeur d’Alene, was sentenced yesterday on charges for theft from a program receiving federal funds and acquiring controlled substances by fraud, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. Both charges relate to a drug diversion scheme that Higgins carried out over multiple years while employed...
PRESS RELEASE

Two East Idaho Meth Traffickers Receive Lengthy Federal Prison Sentences

POCATELLO – U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the sentences for two separate East Idaho methamphetamine traffickers who will serve a collective 21.5 years in federal prison. Fredy Munoz-Morales, a/k/a Fredi Munoz-Morales, 36, a Mexican citizen and national, was sentenced to 12.5 years in federal prison for possession with intent to...
PRESS RELEASE

Idaho Doctor Pays $96,000 to Settle Allegations That He Wrote Unlawful Prescriptions

POCATELLO – Dr. Gerald Knouf, a family medicine doctor formerly of Pocatello, Idaho, agreed to pay $96,000 to resolve allegations that he wrote unlawful prescriptions, prescribed dangerous combinations of drugs, and billed Medicare and Medicaid for services that were not performed, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. The settlement also...
PRESS RELEASE

$6 Million Worth of Oregon Properties Forfeited in Connection to Interstate Marijuana Trafficking Organization

PORTLAND, Ore.-The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced today that it has forfeited on behalf of the United States 14 real properties located in Oregon—together worth more than $5.7 million—that were used by an interstate drug trafficking organization to illegally grow marijuana for redistribution and sale in...
PRESS RELEASE

Pierce County Based Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted for Distributing Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Marijuana

SEATTLE– Ten members of a South Puget Sound drug trafficking organization were indicted following a lengthy investigation that uncovered the trafficking of marijuana to East Coast locales, and the importation and distribution of fentanyl and cocaine in Western Washington. Multiple search warrants were served this morning and eight people were...
PRESS RELEASE

Ferry County Hospital District Agrees to Pay $15,000 Penalty and Implement Corrective Actions to Address Improper Opioid Dispensing Practices at Republic Pharmacy

SPOKANE, Wash.– The Ferry County Hospital District agreed to pay a $15,000 Controlled Substances Act penalty and to institute corrective actions in regards to opioid prescribing practices at Republic Drug Store, a pharmacy in Republic, Washington, that Ferry County Hospital District purchased in January 2021 and has continued to operate...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Dentist Charged Federally with Illegally Distributing Prescription Opiates

SEATTLE – A former dentist who practiced in Renton until his license was indefinitely suspended by the Washington State Dental Commission, was indicted federally for four counts of distributing a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Luke Edward St. Marie, 34, appeared in federal court today and entered pleas...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Dealing Pilot Who Attempted to Hire a Hitman is Sentenced to Federal Prison

MEDFORD, Ore.—A Josephine County, Oregon man who distributed marijuana throughout the U.S. using his private airplane, and who hired a hitman to kill a drug trafficking associate, was sentenced to federal prison today. John Tobe Larson, 71, was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison and five years of supervised...
PRESS RELEASE

Two Naturopaths Agree to Pay $32,000 in Civil Penalties For Improper Prescription of Opioids and Controlled Substances

SPOKANE, Wash.– Dr. Jacqueline Thomas, N.D., an East Wenatchee-based naturopathic doctor, and Dr. Rebecka Hoppins, an Edmonds-based naturopathic doctor, have each agreed to pay $16,500 to resolve allegations under the Controlled Substances Act that they improperly prescribed controlled substances. The Controlled Substances Act regulates certain drugs deemed to pose a...
PRESS RELEASE

Caldwell Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

BOISE, Idaho – A Caldwell man was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. According to court records, Travis Rouse, 53, of Caldwell, aided and abetted his co-defendant in transporting methamphetamine from Mexico to Idaho prior to his arrest on February 19...