DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
44 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

‘Avengers’ actor Jeremy Renner joins forces with 750 students for purposeful Northern Nevada Opioid Youth Summit

RENO, Nevada – Over 700 students representing multiple high schools and middle schools in Washoe County and Douglas County participated in the Northern Nevada Opioid Youth Summit, on Tuesday, September 24. ‘Avengers’ actor Jeremy Renner and ‘Wolf Pack’ announcer Taylor Morgan were among presenters, who stepped up to the plate...
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

Five Defendants, Including Two Doctors, Charged in Connection with Actor Matthew Perry's Fatal Overdose Death Last Year

LOS ANGELES – A licensed physician and an alleged San Fernando Valley drug dealer were arrested today in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry, who suffered a fatal ketamine overdose in October 2023. In total, five defendants, including two doctors, have been charged in this matter, according to...
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

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

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

Ozark Nurse Convicted of Illegally Providing Prescriptions to Clinic Patients

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Ozark, Mo., woman has been convicted following a bench trial of illegally providing prescriptions to patients at Ozark Community Hospital Christian County Clinic. Kimberly G. Hoffer, 51, was found guilty following a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on July 19, 2023. The...