Guilty Pleas Entered by Members of Oxycodone Trafficking Ring
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Eighteen residents of Allegheny County, have pleaded guilty in federal court to violating charges of federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Between May 1, 2012 and Sept. 26, 2012, the following 18 defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone on separate, but related, indictments before Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond:
- Daniel Saamus Malady, 30, of Pittsburgh, PA;
- David Jones Smouse, 28, of West Mifflin, PA;
- Ryan Robert Beharry, 27, of Penn Hills, PA;
- Stephen Michael Arovits, 28, of West Mifflin, PA;
- Terrell Ockmig Robinson, 29, of West Mifflin, PA;
- Roy Getty Arthrell, 37, of Finleyville, PA;
- Kimberly Anne Dayton, 40, of Carnegie, PA;
- Kiahwatha Rahiem Downey, 33, of Pittsburgh, PA;
- Dennis O'Hare, 49, of Elizabeth, PA;
- Michael Schwartzbauer, 34, of South Park, PA;
- Rachel Ann McGovern, 31, of Pittsburgh, PA;
- Zachary Grant Janaszek, 23, of Pittsburgh, PA;
- Eric Jye Kisner, 40, of McKeesport, PA;
- Jennifer Alexxis Magura, 42, of Dravosburg, PA;
- James Anthony Dixon, 39, of Greenock, PA;
- John Henry Minor, 27, of Pittsburgh, PA 15210;
- Shannon Houston Wolfe, 36, Pittsburgh, PA; and
- Brian David Wolfe, 38, of Pittsburgh, PA.
In connection with the guilty pleas, the Court was advised that, from Feb. 26, 2009 to June 21, 2010, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. The total number of illegally-obtained oxycodone pills attributed to the conspiracy was 54,677.
According to information presented to the Court in connection with these cases, the conspiracy began with the theft of a prescription pad from a local hospital by defendant Shannon Wolfe. Defendant Brian Wolfe and another co-conspirator forged false prescriptions for oxycodone, initially using blank prescriptions from the stolen pad. When they ran out of prescriptions, Brian Wolfe and another co-conspirator prepared a computer template which enabled them to continue forging and printing fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone on a home computer and printer in the Wolfe residence in South Park.
The oxycodone pills obtained were either consumed by some of the conspirators or sold.
Numerous individuals indicted in these cases were used to pass the prescriptions at local pharmacies. Once the pills were obtained, the "passers" were paid in cash, a small number of pills, or both. The remaining pills were returned to other conspirators for consumption or distribution.
Several search warrants were conducted by law enforcement officers assigned to this case. Among numerous items seized were the computer and printer on which the prescriptions were created and printed, a quantity of paper used to print the prescriptions to make them appear genuine, and a "how to" manual handwritten by two of the conspirators, describing in detail how to successfully conduct this illegal oxycodone distribution scheme and how to avoid getting caught.
The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The following defendants have been sentenced since entering their guilty pleas:
- Daniel Saamus Malady, sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, followed by three years supervised release;
- Ryan Robert Beharry, sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, followed by three years supervised release;
- Stephen Michael Arovits, sentenced to 12 months in a half-way house, followed by three years supervised release;
- Terrell Ockmig Robinson, sentenced to 30 months imprisonment, followed by three years supervised release; and
- Roy Getty Arthrell, sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, followed by three years supervised release.
Judge Diamond scheduled sentencing for the remaining defendants, whose bond has been revoked, as follows:
- Kimberly Anne Dayton, Oct. 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.;
- Zachary Grant Janaszek, Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.;
- Kiahwatha Rahiem Downey, Oct. 3, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.;
- David Jones Smouse, Oct. 23, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.;
- Dennis O'Hare, Oct. 24, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.;
- Michael Schwartzbauer, Nov. 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.;
- Rachel Ann McGovern, Dec. 5, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.;
- Eric Jye Kisner, Dec. 5, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.;
- James Anthony Dixon, Dec. 6, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.;
- Jennifer Alexxis Magura, Dec. 6, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.;
- John Henry Minor, Dec. 6, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.;
- Shannon Houston Wolfe, Jan. 16, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.; and
- Brian David Wolfe, Jan. 23, 2013 at 12:00 p.m..
Assistant United States Attorney Margaret E. Picking is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Mt. Lebanon Police Department, South Park Police Department, Pleasant Hills Police Department, Bethel Park Police Department, North Versailles Police Department, Whitehall Police Department, City of Pittsburgh Police Department, Allegheny County Probation/Parole Office, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of the defendants.
