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Multi-Million Dollar Darknet Scheme Exposed
Kevin Ombisi, 31, and Eric Russell Jr., 35, both of Katy, Texas, have been charged in a complaint filed in the Western District of Tennessee for their alleged participation in a drug distribution conspiracy perpetrated over the Darknet.
The complaint, unsealed on [undisclosed], alleges that Ombisi and Russell used a marketplace on the Darknet and an encrypted messaging service called Wickr to sell pills that were made to resemble the drug branded as Adderall. In reality, the pills contained methamphetamine.
In conjunction with the arrests, the government seized more than $5 million in assets alleged to be connected to the drug trafficking activity. Ombisi is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of unlawful distribution of controlled substances, while Russell is charged with one count of conspiracy.
Ombisi and Russell were arrested on [undisclosed] and made their initial appearance this afternoon. A complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the DEA’s Nashville District Office Tactical Diversion Squad, HSI El Paso and Houston, and the FDA. Trial Attorney Jillian Willis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Parks of the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case with assistance on forfeiture matters from Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Cotten.
The Fraud Section leads the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force, which has charged more than 85 defendants who are collectively responsible for distributing more than 65 million pills since its inception in October 2018.
The Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for approximately $19 billion since its inception in March 2007.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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