United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The United States has filed a civil complaint against nurse practitioner Joan Rubinger, registered in Stockton, that alleges a long-running nationwide scheme to sell illegal opioid prescriptions for cash, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced. The...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Aug. 1, 2024, Sukhmanpreet Singh Jawanda, 22, of Yuba City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta to 10 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl pills and illegally dealing firearms, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge...

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal magistrate judge has ordered that Defendant Milton Joel Varela Arteaga-a Honduran national who resides in Oakland, California, and was recently indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing large quantities of fentanyl on three separate occasions in 2023-be detained pending trial on fentanyl trafficking charges...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the arrest of and filing of charges against Dr. Arash Padidar, a Santa Clara County doctor accused of illegally prescribing opioids to patients. The arrest and charges are the result of an investigation into an alleged two-years-long illegal prescription...

FRESNO, Calif. — Sawtantra Chopra, 76, of Modesto, pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of illegally prescribing opioids and other medication, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark announced. According to court documents, Chopra admitted prescribing drugs — including hydrocodone, alprazolam...

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Raul Jimenez-Verduzco was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge...

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Uriel Sotelo-Patino, 35, of Selma, charging him with possession with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced. According...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Alfredo Sanchez, 43, of Madera, was sentenced yesterday to seven years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced. According to court documents, Sanchez provided his co-defendant, Saybyn...

FRESNO, Calif. — Oscar Arturo Salomon Perez, aka Jesus Ramos, aka Jesus Rodriguez-Ramos, 48, a native and citizen of Mexican, pleaded guilty today to distributing fentanyl and p‑fluorofentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Richard Turner, 60, of Placerville, charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A...