Charles Bates, Counterfeit Pill Trafficking, Massachusetts 2024

A Reading, Mass. man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a drug conspiracy involving tens of thousands of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Charles Bates, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

In August 2024, Bates pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

The offense involved at least 136,000 counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine, equivalent to approximately 40 kilograms of pills.

According to court documents, Bates ordered 50 kilograms of an orange binding agent commonly used to make counterfeit Adderall pills, which he was observed picking up at a UPS store in Boston.

Bates exchanged text messages with drug customers and associates in which he spoke about pills that are “made to order,” described being physically present at the place where the pills were made and “watching the guy work so no corners have been cut.”

In addition, Bates drafted recipes for counterfeit pills that he kept on his phone or sent to others.

Bates was observed transporting a large, heavy item that appeared to be a pill press to codefendant Aaron Lenardis’ residence in Saugus.

A search of Lenardis’ residence on Oct. 25, 2022 resulted in the seizure of an industrial pill press; 14 firearms including a Glock outfitted to operate as a machinegun; at least 1.85 kilograms of pills and powder containing methamphetamine; at least 87.6 grams of pills and powder containing fentanyl; and “M30” stamps commonly used to manufacture counterfeit pills.

In November 2024, Lenardis was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Lenardis is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 12, 2025.

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