GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — Erik Miller, a 47-year-old resident of Sturgis, Michigan, is facing multiple charges for selling counterfeit drugs, including fake Xanax, on the dark web.
A federal grand jury has indicted Miller on four counts, including conspiracy to distribute Xanax and MDMA, possession of MDMA and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and being a felon in possession of multiple firearms.
“Popping a fake pill is a game of Russian Roulette,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “One pill can kill.” He continued: “Only take prescription drugs prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Never trust your own eyes to determine if a pill is legitimate. If you have any doubt, DON’T. And get the word out to your kids, loved ones, and friends.”
The indictment alleges that Miller was working with a dark web vendor to distribute fake Xanax pills, as well as illegal controlled substances and real prescription drugs. The fake pills were made to look like authentic Xanax pills, which Pharmacia & Upjohn, Co., a division of Pfizer, Inc., manufactures for distribution in the United States.
“The dark web provides a false sense of security,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene. “Drug dealers think they can hide behind a computer keyboard and anonymously distribute drugs, and that is not the case. It doesn’t matter what means criminals use to distribute their deadly products; we will employ every resource to track down anyone who places profit over lives.”
Miller faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine if convicted of the drug trafficking charges. The gun charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years and a $250,000 fine. The charges are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the DEA and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney. For more information on counterfeit pills and the dangers they pose, see the DEA’s Fact Sheet and the DEA’s One Pill Can Kill website, www.dea.gov/onepill.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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