Press Releases

13 Arrested in Connection with an LSD, Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking and Money Laundering Scheme Occurring in the West Campus Area of the University of Texas at Austin

December 04, 2020

Federal, state and local authorities have arrested 13 individuals, including current and former University of Texas (UT) students, charged in connection with trafficking LSD, fentanyl and methamphetamine pills to UT students in Austin. That announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent...

Driver in armed robbery of Madera pharmacy indicted

November 05, 2020

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Michael Erin Vandeventer, 21, of Sparks, Nevada, charging him with interference with commerce by robbery, known as Hobbs Act Robbery, and conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by robbery, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Drug Enforcement...

Three individuals indicted for conspiring to traffic over 10,000 fentanyl pills, 10 lbs methamphetamine and possessing firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes

September 10, 2020

FRESNO, Calif. — Jorge Luis Velasquez, 33, of Mexico, Omar Velazquez Landeros, 27, of Bakersfield, and Victor Romero Galvan, 29, of Mexico, were indicted today for conspiring and possessing with intent to distribute over 10,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl and approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine, and for carrying...

El Dorado County man sentenced 10 years in prison for distributing a drug that caused the death of a minor

May 05, 2020

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Elijah Richter, 28, of Camino, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to 10 years in prison for distribution of a controlled substance known as n25i-nBOME that caused a death, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel...

San Mateo doctor charged with unlawful distribution of opioids and health care fraud

March 03, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury indicted Timothy Mulligan for the unlawful distribution of opioids, including fentanyl, outside the scope of professional practice and health care fraud, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. According to the...

San Francisco man sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for crimes related to illegal fentanyl pill manufacturing operation

January 24, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO - Kia Zolfaghari was sentenced today to 200 months in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Susan Illston, Senior United States District...

El Dorado County man pleads guilty to distributing a designer drug from the dark web that caused the death of a minor

January 13, 2020

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Elijah Richter, 28, of Camino, pleaded guilty today to distribution of a controlled substance known as 25I-NBOMe that caused death, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux announced. According to court documents, during September 2012, Richter imported hallucinogenic...