DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
8 Results - Showing 1 to 8
PRESS RELEASE

Jury Convicts Pain Clinic Doctor of Unlawful Drug Distribution, Money Laundering, and Filing a False Tax Return

TAMPA , F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury found Dr. Qing McGaha guilty of 14 counts of unlawful drug distribution, four (4) counts of money laundering, and one (1) count of filing a false tax return. McGaha faces a maximum penalty of...
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

Former Nurse Sentenced for Stealing Opioids from Kansas Hospital

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 18 months in prison and his nursing license forfeited after stealing controlled substances from his employer. According to court documents, in March 2021, Alec Ramirez, 32, of Overland Park, Kan., removed vials of fentanyl and hydromorphone from an automated dispensing...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Nurse Indicted for Drug Diversion from Boston Hospital

BOSTON – A former nurse has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly diverting opioids from a Boston-area hospital. Andrea Falzano, 38, of Winchester, was indicted on three counts of unlawfully obtaining controlled substances by fraud, deception and subterfuge. Falzano was arrested this morning and will...
PRESS RELEASE

Opioid enforcement action brings multiple charges across the Middle District of Florida

TAMPA, Fla. - A significant opioid enforcement operation across the Middle District of Florida was executed involving charges against five individuals for their alleged involvement in various conspiracies to illicitly obtain and distribute oxycodone and other controlled substances. Those charged are the following: United States v. Hong Truong Hong Truong...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of opioid distribution ring sentenced

Orlando, Fla. – Trevor John, 39, of Palm Bay, was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, hydromorphone and heroin. John had pleaded guilty on Feb. 28, 2019. According to court documents, John was the leader of a group that distributed thousands...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal jury finds two Tampa doctors guilty

Tampa, Fla. – A federal jury has found Dr. Kendrick Eugene Duldulao, 45, of Tampa, and Dr. Medardo Queg Santos, 66, of Lakeland, guilty of conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances for no legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of professional practice. Santos was also found guilty of...
PRESS RELEASE

Opioid prosecutors continue to be focus of Southern District task force

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Three people, including two medical professionals, are among defendants recently prosecuted in federal court as part of continued efforts to crack down on opioid abuse. Lisa Marie Douthit, 42, a pharmacy technician at a Walgreen’s in Bryan County, was sentenced to three months in prison by U.S...