PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Matthew Ieraci, a 29-year-old resident of Pittsburgh, was charged in federal court with stealing federal drug evidence from the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner (ACOME). United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced the charges today.
According to the Information, on multiple occasions between on or about February 8, 2017, and on or about February 27, 2017, Ieraci stole a total of approximately 52.45 grams of powder alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance, from ACOME, where he was employed as a laboratory scientist. The street value of the alprazolam Ieraci is alleged to have stolen was at least $78,675.
The charges against Ieraci include one count of theft concerning a program receiving federal benefits. If convicted, he faces 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 the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Ieraci, the scientist assigned to analyze the evidence on behalf of ACOME, had received training in proper evidence-handling techniques and was aware of the consequences of evidence tampering, including the possibility that such evidence would not be admissible at trial.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation of Ieraci. Assistant United States Attorneys Eric G. Olshan and Rachael L. Dizard are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A criminal Information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The filing of an Information generally indicates that the defendant intends to enter a guilty plea.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Matthew Ieraci, a former employee of the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner, has been charged with stealing more than $78,000 in drug evidence from the lab. Ieraci, 29, of Pittsburgh, was charged by criminal Information with one count of theft concerning a program receiving federal benefits.
The Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner had submitted the evidence to be analyzed in connection with an ongoing multi-jurisdiction, multi-agency federal drug-trafficking investigation. Ieraci, who was assigned to analyze the evidence, allegedly stole the controlled substance, a Schedule IV alprazolam, valued at over $78,000.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – According to the Information, the theft occurred between February 8, 2017, and February 27, 2017. During this time, Ieraci stole a total of approximately 52.45 grams of powder alprazolam. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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