DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
1565 Results - Showing 451 to 460
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Recognizes National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Sunday, August 21, the Drug Enforcement Administration will recognize National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day by joining the many voices dedicated to educating the public on the serious dangers of fentanyl poisoning from fake pills and other illicit drugs. DEA supports the efforts of several...
PRESS RELEASE

Multi-Kilogram Cocaine Importer Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Federal Prison

ORLANDO , Fla . –David Torres-Velez (48, Davenport) has been sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Torres-Velez had pleaded guilty on April 20, 2022. According to court documents, Torres-Velez was involved in multiple kilogram-level cocaine transactions over the course of 2020...
PRESS RELEASE

Final Defendant Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Catalytic Converters Across State Lines

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former Springfield woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a conspiracy to transport tens of thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines as part of a multi-million-dollar business. Danielle Ice, 34, of Columbia, Mo., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge...
PRESS RELEASE

Sumter County Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

OCALA, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Brody Kies (39, Webster) pleaded guilty to a four-count indictment charging him with possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm as a convicted...
PRESS RELEASE

International Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 8 Years

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Mexican national was sentenced to 100 months in prison in connection to an international drug ring that distributed large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana from Mexico in the Kansas City area. According to court documents, in January 2021, Aron Rodriguez- Posada, 48, pleaded...
PRESS RELEASE

Operation “Titan Fall” Charges Thirteen in Central Florida Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

ORLANDO , Fla – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the unsealing of two indictments charging 13 individuals in 2 drug conspiracies in the Orlando area. According to the redacted indictments, the below individuals are in custody and charged with conspiring with each other, and others, to distribute and...
PRESS RELEASE

St. Louis Man Admits Federal Murder-for-Hire Plot

ST. LOUIS - A man from St. Louis pleaded guilty Monday to a murder-for-hire charge and a drug conspiracy charge and admitted trying to have a man who owed him more then $100,000 killed. Kevin Cunningham, 36, pleaded guilty Monday in front of U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig to...
PRESS RELEASE

Four Individuals Charged in Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine and Fentanyl

TAMPA , Fla . – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Arnulfo Rodriguez-Munoz, (41, Fort Worth, TX), Enrique Velasquez (43, Dallas, TX), Heriberto Castillo, (44, Denton, TX), and David Ceballos (27, Alvarado, TX) with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to...
PRESS RELEASE

Kansas City Man Sentenced for $1 Million Meth Conspiracy Near Elementary School

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy that converted large amounts of liquid methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine at a rented house near George Melcher Elementary School in Kansas City, Mo. Ruben Ortiz-Vieyra, 43, a lawful permanent...
PRESS RELEASE

Hazelwood Man Admits Selling Fatal Dose of Fentanyl

ST. LOUIS – A man from Hazelwood, Missouri, admitted on Tuesday to selling fentanyl that killed a Lake St. Louis, Missouri, man last year. Stephen Paul Jefferson Jr., 37, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk to a felony charge of distribution of fentanyl. Jefferson admitted...