Bedford Man Indicted on Prescription Drug Charges

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Bedford, Pa. was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of conspiracy to distribute possess with intent to distribute and distribution of quantities of Schedule IV controlled substances, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The indictment named Damaris Rispoli, age 55, Bedford, Pa., as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, from in and around Aug. 2014, to on or about May 20, 2015, Rispoli conspired with another to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of Tramadol, Zolpidem, Clonazepam, Lorazepam, and Carisoprodol, and on or about May 20, 2015, Rispoli possessed with intent to distribute Carisoprodol, and distributed quantities of Tramadol, Zolpidem, Clonazepam, and Lorazepam.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.