DEA Archived Press Releases

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

San Antonio Man Sentenced to 28 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Pharmacy Robberies

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced to 339 months in federal prison for three counts of pharmacy robbery and three counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. According to court documents, from October to December 2020, Atseko Factor, 40, and...
PRESS RELEASE

Multiple Pharmaceutical Distributor Executives, Sales Representatives and Brokers Charged in Connection with Unlawful Sales of over 70M Opioid Pills

HOUSTON - Charges have been unsealed as part of a larger enforcement action related to the unlawful distribution of nearly 70 million opioid pills and over 30 million doses of other commonly abused prescription drugs to alleged Houston-area pill-mill pharmacies. Three Houston-area pharmacy operators were also charged for their role...
PRESS RELEASE

Chemical Importer to Pay $300,000 in Civil Penalties for Alleged Violations of the Controlled Substances Act

WACO, Texas – Shrieve Chemical Company, LLC, a Drug Enforcement Administration-registered importer and distributor of listed chemicals, has agreed to pay $300,000 in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated provisions of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq. In December 2022, DEA diversion investigators conducted...
PRESS RELEASE

Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to 70 Months for Unlawful Drug Distribution

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Danielle Simonson, age 52, of Fort Ann, New York, was sentenced today to 70 months in prison for distributing controlled substances outside the course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino...
PRESS RELEASE

Nurse Practitioner Arrested for Unlawful Drug Distribution

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Viagrande, age 41, of Latham, New York, was arrested earlier this week and charged with distributing controlled substances outside the course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III...
PRESS RELEASE

FL Man Who Allegedly Commandeered E-Prescribing Privileges of Doctors Charged with Criminal Sale

MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and Drug Enforcement Administration New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III announced the arrest of a Florida man who allegedly commandeered the e-prescribing privileges of multiple doctors to issue thousands...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Physician is Sentenced to 30 Months after Conviction for Diverting Prescription Opioids

SAN ANTONIO – A former San Antonio doctor was sentenced in federal court yesterday to 30 months in prison for conspiring with others to dispense controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose. According to court documents, Paul Silva, 48, admitted that he unlawfully and fraudulently issued more than 500 prescriptions...
PRESS RELEASE

Nassau Doctor Sentenced to Up to 15 Years in Prison for Overprescription of Opioids that Led to Five Deaths

MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced today that a Nassau County doctor has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for prescription practices that led to the deaths of five patients between 2016 and 2018. George Blatti, 78, pleaded guilty on October 10...
PRESS RELEASE

Buffalo Man Convicted for His Role in Narcotics Conspiracy that Led to an Overdose Death

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Steven Gonzalez a/k/a Steven Hernandez, a/k/a Steve, a/k/a Stevie, a/k/a Unc, 47, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Gonzalez was also...
PRESS RELEASE

Fort Salonga Urologist and Wife Charged with Criminal Sale of a Prescription for a Controlled Substance and Falsifying Business Records

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III today announced the indictment of Francis and Jessica Martinis, of Fort Salonga, accused of Criminal Sale of Prescription for a Controlled Substance by a Practitioner and Falsifying...