DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
5 Results - Showing 1 to 5
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

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

Pill Mill Operator Convicted for Oxycodone Diversion

NEW YORK - Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict yesterday against Purificacion Cristobal for her participation in a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose acting outside the usual course of professional practice...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Issues Public Safety Alert on Sharp Increase in Fake Prescription Pills Containing Fentanyl and Meth

NEW YORK – Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. DEA’s Public Safety Alert, the first in six years, seeks to raise public awareness of a significant nationwide...
PRESS RELEASE

Buffalo woman sentenced for conspiring with a former local doctor to illegally distribute controlled substances

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Laura Ricotta, 29, of Buffalo, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine, was sentenced to time served (approximately 15 months) by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Assistant...