In the case of “Three Men Sentenced in Akron Case Involving Forged Prescriptions and Illicit Pill Trafficking,” three individuals faced sentencing for their involvement in a conspiracy to forge prescriptions and traffic illicit pills. The defendants, Michael White, Durell Richerson, and Dallas Delatte, were each handed prison terms followed by supervised release for their respective roles in the criminal enterprise. The charges included conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as well as conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. This article provides a detailed account of the indictment and pleas made by the defendants, highlighting the two distinct conspiracies involved in the case. The investigation was carried out by the DEA Cleveland’s Tactical Diversion Squad, with assistance from various law enforcement agencies.
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Title
Three Men Sentenced in Akron Case Involving Forged Prescriptions and Illicit Pill Trafficking
Introduction
In a recent case investigated by the DEA Cleveland’s Tactical Diversion Squad, three men were sentenced by Chief Judge Sara Lioi in a federal court in Akron. The case involved the forging of prescriptions and a conspiracy to press and sell illicit pills. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the background, case details, and the sentencing of each individual involved.
Background
The case involved two separate but related conspiracies. One conspiracy focused on passing forged prescriptions for promethazine-codeine cough syrup, which is known as an illicit recreational drug. The other conspiracy involved the manufacturing and distribution of illicit pills, including methamphetamine pills that resembled ecstasy. The investigation was carried out by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Akron Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Canton Police Department, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
Case Overview
Four individuals were involved in the case: Michael White, Durell Richerson, Dallas Delatte, and Amanda Ball. White and Ball pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy to manufacture and distribute illicit pills, while Richerson and Delatte pled guilty to participating in the conspiracy involving forged prescriptions. The case involved the use of a Google account to store forged prescription templates and the use of a pill press machine to manufacture illicit pills.
Sentencing of Michael White
Michael White, a 43-year-old resident of Akron, was sentenced to 66 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, and two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. In addition to his prison sentence, White will also be subject to ten years of supervised release.
Sentencing of Durell Richerson
Durell Richerson, a 35-year-old resident of Akron, was sentenced to 36 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and nine counts of Aggravated Identity Theft. Richerson was involved in the conspiracy to pass forged prescriptions for promethazine-codeine cough syrup. After serving his prison sentence, Richerson will be under three years of supervised release.
Sentencing of Dallas Delatte
Dallas Delatte, a 34-year-old resident of Canton, was sentenced to 25 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and three counts of Aggravated Identity Theft. Delatte was also involved in the conspiracy to pass forged prescriptions. Delatte will be subject to three years of supervised release following his prison term.
Involvement of Amanda Ball
Amanda Ball, one of the four defendants in the case, previously pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances. She is scheduled for sentencing on September 12, 2023. Ball was involved in the conspiracy to manufacture and distribute illicit pills using a pill press machine.
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First Conspiracy: Forged Prescriptions
The first conspiracy involved the passing of forged prescriptions for promethazine-codeine cough syrup. The defendants used a Google account to store forged prescription templates containing the names, DEA numbers, and NPI numbers of Akron-area physicians without their permission. The conspirators made edits to the templates, printed them on security paper, and attempted to pass them off at Akron-area pharmacies. Each use of a forged prescription constituted a count of Aggravated Identity Theft, as the identity of the physicians was used without their knowledge or consent.
Government Services and Contact
For more information about government services or to report any suspicious activities related to forged prescriptions or illicit pill trafficking, please contact the DEA Cleveland’s Tactical Diversion Squad. The squad worked closely with the Akron Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Canton Police Department, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations in this particular case.
In conclusion, the sentencing of these three men in the Akron case involving forged prescriptions and illicit pill trafficking reflects the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combatting drug crimes. The collaboration between multiple agencies has resulted in the successful prosecution and sentencing of individuals involved in these illegal activities. The sentences imposed serve as a deterrent and send a clear message that drug trafficking and prescription forgery will not be tolerated in our communities.
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