A brazen crime has shaken the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner (ACOME) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Matthew Ieraci, a 29-year-old laboratory scientist, has been charged with stealing a staggering $78,675 worth of alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance, from the lab where he worked.
According to a federal Information, Ieraci, who was employed at ACOME, stole a total of approximately 52.45 grams of powder alprazolam on multiple occasions between February 8, 2017, and February 27, 2017. The evidence was submitted to ACOME by the United States Postal Inspection Service for chemical analysis in connection with a multi-jurisdiction, multi-agency federal drug-trafficking investigation.
Ieraci, who had received training in proper evidence-handling techniques and was aware of the consequences of evidence tampering, allegedly stole the evidence from a larger quantity of alprazolom. The street value of the stolen alprazolam is estimated to be at least $78,675.
Assistant United States Attorneys Eric G. Olshan and Rachael L. Dizard are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation into Ieraci’s alleged crimes.
A criminal Information is an accusation, and Ieraci is presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, the filing of an Information generally indicates that the defendant intends to enter a guilty plea.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. The actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and Ieraci’s prior criminal history, if any.
The alleged crime has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the importance of proper evidence-handling and the severe consequences of evidence tampering. As the case proceeds, the public will be eager to see justice served and the perpetrator held accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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