DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Justice Department Sues Stockton-based Nurse Practitioner to Stop Her Sale of Illegal Opioid Prescriptions

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...
PRESS RELEASE

Madera County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl that Caused Death

FRESNO, Calif. — Elias Soliz, 26, of Madera, was sentenced on April 29, 2024, to 10 years in prison for distributing fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark announced. According to court documents, on Aug. 3, 2023, Soliz knowingly distributed...
PRESS RELEASE

Dark Web Vendor Sentenced to 18 months in Prison for Distributing Meth-Pressed Adderall Pills

SAN FRANCISCO – Tony Tan was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in connection with his sale of counterfeit Adderall pills pressed with methamphetamine on the dark web , announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Francisco...
PRESS RELEASE

CA Attorney General Bonta Announces Arrest of Santa Clara Doctor for Illegal Opioid Prescription Scheme

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...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Modesto Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegally Prescribing Opioids

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...
PRESS RELEASE

Concord Resident Responsible for Teen's Fentanyl Poisoning Death Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison

OAKLAND – Alejandro Valentino Urias was sentenced today to 96 months in prison after admitting he supplied a fentanyl-laced counterfeit M30 pill that caused the overdose death of a 14-year-old girl, announced U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris...
PRESS RELEASE

Merced County Doctor Indicted for Multimillion Dollar Disability Insurance Fraud Scheme, Money Laundering, and Unrelated Drug Charges

FRESNO, Calif. — On Oct. 20, 2022, a federal grand jury charged Sohail Mamdani, 46, of Los Banos, with mail fraud and money laundering in connection to a disability insurance fraud scheme, and unlawful use of a DEA registration number and fraudulently obtaining possession of a controlled substance, U.S. Attorney...
PRESS RELEASE

Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Eight Years in Overdose Death

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Xavier Robledo was sentenced in federal court today to 96 months in prison for distributing fentanyl that caused overdoses in two people and killed one, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon and United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds. The sentence...
PRESS RELEASE

Bakersfield Resident Pleads Guilty for Attempting to Sell Fentanyl

FRESNO, Calif. — Keisean Rockmore, 27, of Bakersfield, California, pleaded guilty today to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon and U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on Jan. 19, 2021, Rockmore drove co-defendant Adrian Rodriguez...
PRESS RELEASE

Porterville Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Distribution

FRESNO, Calif. —Renato Aguilera, 30, of Porterville, California, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon and U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 3, 2020, Aguilera conspired with...