California Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Conspiring to Distribute Opioids

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Charles Rainer Sinek, age 53, of Oakland, California, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute opioid pills.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Division, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Sinek was convicted in September 2016, after a 3-day trial.  At trial, the evidence demonstrated that from 2011 to September 2012, Sinek used his father-in-law’s prescription pad to write prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, including oxycodone, oxymorphone, and hydromorphone.  He filled these prescriptions at different pharmacies using variations of his own name and at least one other pseudonym.  He then shipped the drugs cross-country to his co-conspirator in Saranac, New York, where the drugs were sold.

Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe also ordered Sinek to forfeit $164,025 as proceeds of the crime.

This case was investigated by the DEA and the Plattsburgh Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth R. Rabe.