BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Laura Ricotta, 29, of Buffalo, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine, was sentenced to time served (approximately 15 months) by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Assistant...

MINEOLA, N.Y. – Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division, Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan and Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Valley Stream man was arrested today for allegedly using a doctor’s prescription pad to acquire more than 13,000 oxycodone and morphine pills during a nine-month...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Pomona, California, woman was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in Jasper County, Missouri. Melissa R. Kivett, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 27 years in federal prison without parole. The case...

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge J. Michael Gannon and United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today, April E. Hayworth, 31, Indianapolis, and Christina A. Smith, 37, Indianapolis, were charged today on federal drug, conspiracy, and burglary charges. “During this COVID19 pandemic, it is vitally important...

CHICAGO – With families encouraged to stay at home due to the nationwide health crisis, the Drug Enforcement Administration is asking Americans to keep prescription medications safe and secure until they can properly dispose of them. The Secure Your Meds awareness campaign addresses a vital public safety and health issue...

ALBANY, N.Y. – Myra Mabry, age 50, of Catskill, New York, was sentenced today to 54 months in prison for unlawfully distributing opioids, for impersonating her patients and defrauding insurance companies as part of the opioids distribution scheme, and for attempting to obstruct the investigation into her criminal activities. The...

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Dr. David Ray Cesko, 66, of Rawlins, Wyoming, pleaded guilty on Feb. 26, 2020, in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne to multiple charges that, as a physician, he unlawfully distributed controlled substances, primarily opiates and benzodiazepines, to his patients. Cesko was charged by a Wyoming federal grand...

FRESNO, Calif. — Majed Bashir Akroush, aka "Mike Akroush," aka "Magic Mike," 52, of Bakersfield, California, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to structure at least half a million dollars in cash withdrawals from his bank accounts, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux and U.S. Attorney McGregor...

ST. LOUIS – Bradley A. Seyer, D.D.S., 53, of Florissant, Missouri, was sentenced today to 18 months of imprisonment and a $50,000 fine. Previously, on June 26, 2019, Dr. Seyer pleaded guilty to two felony charges of making false statements to Medicare and illegally issuing prescriptions for narcotic opioid drugs...

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...