DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
47 Results - Showing 41 to 47
PRESS RELEASE

Local Doctor and Former Pro Football Player Indicted

Rome, Ga. – Atlanta-area doctor Victor Hanson and former professional football player Sedrick Hodge have been indicted with two other individuals for illegal distribution of prescription drugs, including opioids. “Americans rely on healthcare providers, many of them medical doctors, to use their training to help patients and to ‘do no...
PRESS RELEASE

Myrtle Beach drug boss sentenced to over nine years in federal prison on oxycodone conspiracy charge

FLORENCE, S.C. – United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Leroy Anthony Griffin, 31, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., was sentenced to over nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute Oxycodone. Evidence presented to the court showed that...
PRESS RELEASE

Doctor sentenced to prison for prescribing narcotics to non-patients

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A physician with clinics in Pooler, Ga., and Braselton, Ga., was sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison for illegally prescribing drugs to non-patients. Dr. Johnny Di Blasi , 46, of Braselton, Ga., was sentenced to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to...
PRESS RELEASE

Law enforcement dismantles drug ring operating in Asheville

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – United States Attorney Andrew Murray announced today that law enforcement have dismantled a drug ring operating in Asheville, charging eight of its members with drug conspiracy and drug and firearm-related offenses. The 35-count criminal indictment was returned by the federal grand jury on April 2, 2019, and...
PRESS RELEASE

Waynesboro Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Felony Drug Charge

AUGUSTA, GA -- A Waynesboro pharmacist is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to illegally obtaining opioids for his own use. Wilton Clinton “Clint” Meeks III, 55, of Waynesboro, Ga., pled guilty on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, to acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, deception, or subterfuge, said Bobby L. Christine...
PRESS RELEASE

Doctor charged for prescribing narcotics to non-patients and ordered detained until trial

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A physician with clinics in Pooler, Ga., and Braselton, Ga., has been indicted for illegally prescribing drugs to non-patients and ordered held in custody pending trial in federal court. Dr. Johnny Di Blasi , 46, of Braselton, Ga., is named in a nine-count indictment for conspiracy to...
PRESS RELEASE

Opioid prosecutors continue to be focus of Southern District task force

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Three people, including two medical professionals, are among defendants recently prosecuted in federal court as part of continued efforts to crack down on opioid abuse. Lisa Marie Douthit, 42, a pharmacy technician at a Walgreen’s in Bryan County, was sentenced to three months in prison by U.S...