DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Second-in-Command of Drug Distribution Organization Tied to Aryan Prison Gang Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

Tacoma – A 61-year-old Auburn, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to twelve years in prison for his leadership role in a multi-state drug distribution ring announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Thomas Carver has a lengthy criminal history that includes multiple prior convictions related...
PRESS RELEASE

Hospital in Washington Agrees to Pay $15,000 Penalty and Implement Corrective Actions to Address Theft of Controlled Substances

Spokane, Wash. - Mid-Valley Hospital and Clinic in Omak, Washington, agreed to pay a $15,000 Controlled Substances Act penalty and to institute corrective actions in regard to its pharmacy and controlled substances policy and procedures. To protect the public, the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations place legal responsibilities...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Division Chief of Logistics for Kootenai County EMSS Sentenced in Drug Diversion Scheme

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho--Scott Higgins, 57, of Coeur d’Alene, was sentenced yesterday on charges for theft from a program receiving federal funds and acquiring controlled substances by fraud, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. Both charges relate to a drug diversion scheme that Higgins carried out over multiple years while employed...
PRESS RELEASE

Idaho Doctor Pays $96,000 to Settle Allegations That He Wrote Unlawful Prescriptions

POCATELLO – Dr. Gerald Knouf, a family medicine doctor formerly of Pocatello, Idaho, agreed to pay $96,000 to resolve allegations that he wrote unlawful prescriptions, prescribed dangerous combinations of drugs, and billed Medicare and Medicaid for services that were not performed, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. The settlement also...
PRESS RELEASE

Two Suburban Chicago Physicians Sentenced to Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud

CHICAGO — Shiela Lyons, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Chicago Field Division, and Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois announced that two suburban Chicago physicians have been sentenced to federal prison for prescribing opioids to individuals who lacked a legitimate medical need...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Day Removes Almost 600,000 Pounds of Unneeded Prescription Medications Across the Country

CHICAGO – On Oct. 28, 2023, the community once again emptied their medicine cabinets to help dispose of old, unwanted, and expired medications. Nationwide, DEA and its law enforcement partners collected 599,897 pounds of unneeded medications at 4,675 collection sites nationwide. Locally, the DEA Chicago Field Division collected 97,698 pounds...
PRESS RELEASE

Ferry County Hospital District Agrees to Pay $15,000 Penalty and Implement Corrective Actions to Address Improper Opioid Dispensing Practices at Republic Pharmacy

SPOKANE, Wash.– The Ferry County Hospital District agreed to pay a $15,000 Controlled Substances Act penalty and to institute corrective actions in regards to opioid prescribing practices at Republic Drug Store, a pharmacy in Republic, Washington, that Ferry County Hospital District purchased in January 2021 and has continued to operate...
PRESS RELEASE

Illinois Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Theft of Medical Products and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Todd C. Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Field Division, and U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris for the Central District of Illinois announced that Issac Jackson, 29, of Le Roy, Illinois, was sentenced on Sept. 7, 2023, to 30 months in...
PRESS RELEASE

Physician Assistant at Chicago Medical Practice Charged with Fraudulently Writing Opioid Prescriptions

CHICAGO — Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Field Division, and Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois announced that a physician assistant who formerly worked at a Chicago medical practice has been charged in federal court with fraudulently...
PRESS RELEASE

Suburban Chicago Physician Sentenced to Federal Prison for Prescribing Opioids Without a Medical Exam

CHICAGO — Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Field Division, and Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois announced that a suburban Chicago physician has been sentenced to a federal prison term for prescribing opioids to patients without a...