ABINGDON, Va. – Two members of a drug distribution organization that trafficked methamphetamine, heroin, oxycodone, cocaine, and other drugs from Georgia into Southwest Virginia were recently sentenced in federal court on drug conspiracy charges. In a hearing this week, Roy Lee Dykes, 61, of Watkinsville, Ga., formerly of Big Stone...

RICHMOND, Va. – Over 160 law enforcement, medical, education, and community services professionals gathered today at Virginia Commonwealth University for the Silent No More Overdose Symposium. “The coming together of this highly respected and accomplished group of professionals is incredibly impressive, but there is still much more work to be...

ABINGDON, Va. – Dr. Raymond Michael Moore, 61, of Wise, Va., who had a medical practice in Norton, pleaded guilty yesterday in United States District Court in Abingdon, to 14 federal charges, including illegally prescribing more than 25,000 oxycodone pills, more than 17,000 hydrocodone pills, and more than 10,000 benzodiazepine...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria man was sentenced to five years in prison for manufacturing and distributing anabolic steroids and money laundering. According to court documents, John Russell Kestel, 38, ran an anabolic steroid manufacturing and distribution conspiracy for at least three years. Kestel imported raw steroid powders from China...

RICHMOND, Va. – A Henrico man pleaded guilty today to unlawfully prescribing Oxycodone and Tramadol to patients at a Richmond-area pain management practice. According to court documents, Zeljko Stjepanovic, 58, was a doctor working in a pain management practice, initially in Fredericksburg and later in Henrico County. As part of...

WASHINGTON -- The DEA and the Washington Redskins announced today that they will team up to spread awareness about the ongoing opioid epidemic through a new campaign. This campaign will include public service announcements throughout the month of October and culminate in an epic game-day sponsored event during the October...

ABINGDON, Va. – Joel Smithers, 36, a Martinsville-based doctor, was sentenced Oct. 2, 2019 to 40 years in federal prison and sentenced to pay a special assessment of $86,000, on 861 federal drug charges in U.S. District Court in Abingdon. Smithers was found to have prescribed more than half a...

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach dentist was sentenced today to eight and a half years in prison for conspiracy to distribute prescription opioids and muscle relaxant pills without a legitimate medical purpose. According to court documents, Gary Hartman, 48, was involved in an elaborate scheme to prescribe opioids such...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A former pharmacy owner was sentenced today to four years in prison for fraudulently filling and dispensing thousands of prescription medications, including opioids, outside the usual course of professional practice. Latif Mohamed Chowdhury, aka "Gulam Latif Chaudhury," 29, operated and controlled two now-defunct pharmacies known as Alexandria...

TRENTON, N.J. – Special Agent in Charge of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, Susan A. Gibson, and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Craig Carpenito, announced a doctor with offices in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and Brooklyn was sentenced today to 27 months in...