United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Abingdon, Va., – A man, formerly from California, who recently relocated to Southwest Virginia, was found guilty of conspiracy and drug distribution charges following a three-day jury trial in the United States District Court in Abingdon, Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division, United States Attorney...

Baltimore, Md. – Thamar Smith, age 48, of Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. The guilty plea was announced by Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)'s Washington Division; United States Attorney for the District...

Baltimore, Md – Keith L. Brown, a/k/a “Clown”, age 63, of Annapolis, Maryland, pleaded guilty on June 27, 2022, to possession with intent to distribute phencyclidine (PCP), crack cocaine, heroin, and cocaine. The guilty plea was announced by Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)'s...

SAN DIEGO – Approximately 50,000 fake pills containing fentanyl were seized in a single enforcement operation in San Diego on June 28, 2022. Investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Narcotic Task Force (NTF) and the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) worked together to prevent the fake pills from being distributed...

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A Winchester, Virginia man, who distributed Eutylone, commonly marketed by drug dealers as “Molly” or “Ecstasy” was sentenced last week to 72 months in federal prison. Lamont Antoine Parson, 40, pled guilty in November 2021 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent...

Baltimore, Md. – Juawan Davis, age 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Following his guilty plea, U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Davis to 13 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. The sentence was announced...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 30-year-old Austin man is sentenced to federal prison for attempting to smuggle meth into the country while eating a cheeseburger, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge, Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. Yen-Tsun Huang pleaded guilty Nov...

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A former veterinarian, who admitted to stealing opioids, was sentenced today to eight months in federal prison. Patrick Gries, 54, of Madison Heights, Virginia, pleaded guilty in January 2022 to one count of adulteration of a drug held for sale after shipment in interstate commerce and one...

FRESNO, Calif. — Adrian Rodriguez Cardenas, 22, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today to six years in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon announced. According to court documents, on Jan. 11, 2021, Cardenas negotiated with...

SEATTLE – The Arlington, Washington based leader of a prolific and violent drug trafficking ring pleaded guilty this week to federal drug, gun, and money laundering crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Cesar Valdez-Sanudo, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and carrying...