Victoria Horvath Gets 92 Months for Oxycodone Ring

Victoria Horvath, 44, of Belleville, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 92 months in federal prison for her central role in a sprawling oxycodone distribution ring that exploited doctors, pharmacies, and street-level dealers across Essex County. U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced the sentence following a hearing in Newark federal court, where Horvath admitted to orchestrating a scheme that flooded neighborhoods with Schedule II narcotics.

Horvath pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Judge Salas handed down the 92-month sentence and added three years of supervised release. The conviction stems from a DEA investigation that uncovered a network of individuals using fraudulent prescriptions to obtain oxycodone under the guise of medical need, only to sell the pills for profit.

Between February 5, 2014, and August 13, 2014, Horvath personally visited multiple doctors to obtain oxycodone prescriptions, filled them at pharmacies in Belleville and beyond, and distributed the pills to co-conspirators and buyers. She also drove others to medical appointments, helped them secure prescriptions, and facilitated the resale of narcotics. Court documents confirm she acted as an organizer and manager of the criminal enterprise.

In one recorded transaction, Horvath sold 119 oxycodone pills to an undercover agent in February 2014 in exchange for $2,020. The DEA built its case using confidential informants, physical surveillance, and intercepted text messages and phone calls that laid bare the operation’s inner workings. Oxycodone, a powerful opioid, is classified as a Schedule II drug due to its high potential for abuse and addiction.

Several co-defendants have already faced justice. Brian Perez, 23, was sentenced to 40 months in September 2014. Luis Rivera, 25, received 54 months in August 2015. Daniel Horvath, 27, got 27 months, while Johnny Horvath, 46, was sentenced to 30 months in April 2016. Monica Horvath, 22, received 24 months in August 2016. Charges against Belleville pharmacist Vincent Cozzarelli were dismissed after his death in April 2014. The indictment remains active against two others.

Other defendants who have pleaded guilty but await sentencing include Alexis Horvath, 27, of Belleville; Rickie Horvath, 54; Tony Marco, 47; Steven Horvath, 45; all of Rutherford, New Jersey; Justin Farraj, 24; Matthew Policarpio, 28, of Newark; and Sabrina Vajda, 32, of Brooklyn, New York. The DEA’s New Jersey Division, led by Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin prosecuted the case. Frank P. Arleo, Esq. of West Orange, New Jersey, represented Horvath.