DEA Archived Press Releases

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

West Haven Woman Who Diverted Narcotics from Dying VA Medical Center Patients is Sentenced

HARTFORD, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TARA SEVERINO, 58, of West Haven, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to two years of probation, the first six months of which Severino must serve...
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

Indictment Charges Brothers with Trafficking Narcotic Pills

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging KYLE PETERSEN, 38, of Newington, and ERIK PETERSEN...
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

Year in Review: DEA Innovates to Fight Fentanyl

WASHINGTON – In 2023, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration marked its 50th anniversary as the only federal agency dedicated to fighting deadly drugs and drug-related violence. This milestone celebrated a half century of dedication to fighting drug trafficking in the United States and around the world, which threatens the public...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA El Paso to Host Family Summit

WHEN: Thursday, November 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. MST. WHERE: Hope City Community Church, 6115 Woodrow Bean, El Paso, TX 79924 WHAT: Summit for New Mexico and West Texas families who have suffered the terrible loss of a loved one to fentanyl or other illicit substances WHO: DEA...
PRESS RELEASE

Previously Convicted Felon Indicted for Narcotics and Firearms Offenses

BOSTON – A Methuen man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly trafficking counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition and using a firearm in relation of a drug trafficking offense. Shawn Hart, 45, was charged with one count of...
PRESS RELEASE

Missouri Nurse Sentenced for Taking Leftover Fentanyl from Hospital

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. on Tuesday sentenced a registered nurse who stole fentanyl from the hospital where she worked to three years of probation, 200 hours of public service work and a $5,000 fine. Judge Limbaugh also ordered Lindsey M. Francis, 35, to...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Alaska Advanced Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to 30 Years for Illegally Prescribing Millions of Opioids Causing Five Deaths

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—Former Advanced Nurse Practitioner Jessica Joyce Spayd (52) was sentenced in U.S. District Court yesterday to 30 years (360 months) imprisonment for illegally prescribing and dispensing opioids outside the scope of legitimate medical practice that resulted in the deaths of five people between 2014 and 2019. United States District...
PRESS RELEASE

Jamestown Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Richard A. Philbrick, 37, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more fentanyl. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10...