Anchorage, Alaska – Today the United States Drug Enforcement Administration launched a new comprehensive law enforcement and prevention initiative aimed at reducing drug use, abuse, and overdose deaths. “Operation Engage” allows participating field divisions to focus on the biggest drug threat and resulting violence in their respective geographic areas. The...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Joseph Matney, 40, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court on Feb. 4 to armed robbery of a pharmacy, theft of medical products and possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone and Alprazolam. According to his plea agreement, Matney entered and robbed an Albuquerque pharmacy on...

SPOKANE, Wash., - Today, Todd Earl Bridges, age 38, a resident of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced to 180 month term of imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine. United States District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson also ordered a 5 year term of...

EL PASO - Today in El Paso, federal authorities filed two criminal complaints charging five individuals for smuggling an estimated $5.4 million worth of marijuana and methamphetamine and 77 illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Erik P. Breitzke, Drug Enforcement...

KENNEWICK, Wash., -- Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington presented the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force with $132,876 in asset forfeiture equitable sharing funds. Kennewick...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Bryron Shontell McFadden, 41 and Roberta Ruth Sielak, 30, of Utqiagvik, Alaska, were indicted on drug trafficking charges, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and attempt to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute. The criminal complaint alleges that on or about January 12, 2021, U.S. Postal Inspectors...

SPOKANE, Wash., - Joshua Isaac Stine, age 34, a resident of Ephrata, Washington, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Court Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen to a 240 month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 10 year term of court supervision after he is released from federal...

SEATTLE - A 22-year-old Mount Vernon, Washington, woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Rosaliana Lopez-Rodriguez sold counterfeit oxycodone pills tainted with fentanyl in Skagit and Whatcom Counties. The pills are connected to at least two overdoses, including the overdose death of...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Michael Don Robertson, 68, a former Anchorage psychiatrist, was sentenced on January 6, 2021, by U.S. District Court Judge Sharon L. Gleason to 12 months home confinement and five years of probation for conspiracy to commit controlled substance fraud and one count of health care fraud. Robertson...

SEATTLE - The U.S. Department of Justice and Bartell Drug Inc., today resolved allegations that, between July 2016 and August 2020, the pharmacy chain filled invalid prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. Under the terms of the settlement, Bartell Drug will pay the government an $800,000 fine. Bartell...