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Defendants Indicted in Multi-State Prescription Drug Ring
Buffalo, NY – In a shocking turn of events, three individuals have been charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute prescription medications in Western New York. Chad Weishan, 28, and Jessica Kazmark, 26, both of Buffalo, NY, and Julie Reed, 41, of Houston, TX, are accused of obtaining prescription medications and shipping them to Reed in Houston.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, the indictment states that Weishan and Kazmark obtained prescription medications from Reed in Salamanca, NY, in exchange for a cut of the prescriptions. The defendants would then pick up the drugs and ship the partial scripts to Reed in Houston. On at least two occasions, the partial prescription medications were shipped to Reed at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Houston where she was employed.
Reed, who has not yet been taken into custody, is accused of receiving the prescription medications and is facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute fentanyl and oxycodone, and carisoprodol (Soma) and alprazolam (Xanax). The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both.
This is the second prosecution by our Office today which seeks to combat the growing problem of illegal prescription drug abuse in our area,” said U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul. The investigation was led by the Buffalo and Houston Offices of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Division of Drug Enforcement, under the direction of Director Darren Cruzan, and the Salamanca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Troy Westfall.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Weishan and Kazmark made an initial appearance on April 14, 2015, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott and were released on conditions.
The investigation into this case is ongoing, and it is unclear when Reed will be taken into custody. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to holding individuals accountable for their actions and bringing an end to the scourge of prescription drug abuse in our community.
For more information, contact Barbara Burns at (716) 843-5817 or (716) 551-3051.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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