DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Two Houston Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Burglarizing Pharmacies in Southern Illinois, Missouri

BENTON, Ill. – A district court judge sentenced two Houston, Texas, men to federal prison for burglarizing pharmacies of controlled substances in Casey, Illinois, and Poplar Bluff, Missouri. McKindley V. Allen, 32, and DaLeon J. Fontennet, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary involving controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute...
PRESS RELEASE

Nurse Pleads Guilty to Illegally Obtaining Fentanyl from Hospital

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Osage Beach, Mo., nurse pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally obtaining fentanyl from a hospital for his own use. Charles Welch Jr., 65, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to a federal...
PRESS RELEASE

Ohio Men Sentenced for Burglarizing Illinois and Missouri Pharmacies of Controlled Substances

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district court judge sentenced two Columbus, Ohio, men to federal prison for burglarizing several pharmacies of oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine pills with intent to illegally distribute the controlled substances. George H. Cunningham, 42, was sentenced to 100 months in prison and Tarvin M. Hamler...
PRESS RELEASE

Jefferson County Doctor, Staffers Accused of Conspiracy, Health Care Fraud

ST. LOUIS – A doctor with an office in St. Louis and two employees have been indicted in U.S. District Court and accused of illegally prescribing controlled substances and health care fraud. Dr. David A. Parks, 66, James M. Bilderback, 58, both of Jefferson County, Missouri, and Michelle J. Scheer...
PRESS RELEASE

Doctor Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Selling Opioid Prescriptions

WICHITA, Kan. – A former Kansas physician was sentenced to 10 years in prison following a jury trial conviction and a plea agreement based on charges for selling opioid prescriptions to customers without legitimate medical need for powerful pain medications. According to court documents, Steven R. Henson, 63, of Wichita...
PRESS RELEASE

Darknet Vendor Who Sold Millions of Fake Xanax Pills Sentenced

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Wednesday sentenced a man who sold millions of counterfeit Xanax pills on the Darknet to two years in prison, fined him $10,000 and ordered him to forfeit nearly $1 million. Brandon Adams, 27, will also be on supervised release for...
PRESS RELEASE

Anesthesiologist Pleads Guilty to Taking Fentanyl from Hospital

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An anesthesiologist at a Lee’s Summit, Mo., hospital pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally taking prescription fentanyl from the hospital. Roman Peplinski, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to...
PRESS RELEASE

Seattle Man Sentenced for Buying 630,000 Counterfeit Pills on the Dark Web

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark on Thursday sentenced a man who bought 630,000 counterfeit Xanax and other pills on the dark web to five years in prison and ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine. Maximillian Gregory Verbowski will also be on supervised release for...
PRESS RELEASE

St. Louis Area Pediatrician Indicted, Accused of Exchanging Prescriptions for Sex Acts

ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis County, Missouri pediatrician was indicted Wednesday and accused of prescribing pain pills and other controlled substances in exchange for sex acts or cash. The indictment charges Craig A. Spiegel, 67, with 17 counts of illegal distribution of controlled substances and six counts of making...
PRESS RELEASE

Dark Web Dealer of Meth, Heroin Heads to Prison

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for selling methamphetamine and heroin on the dark web. John M. LeCoque, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered LeCoque to...