Claymont Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Fake Oxycodone Pills that Contained Fentanyl

 WILMINGTON, Del. – A Claymont, Delaware man was sentenced today to over 10 years in federal prison for possessing fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl with intent to distribute. 

According to court documents, Charles Crest, 29, was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in May 2020 after he sold over a thousand fake oxycodone pills to an undercover DEA task force officer.  The pills actually contained fentanyl.  Inside Crest’s apartment, law enforcement found over 4,000 additional fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl in the dishwasher.  DEA agents also found over $5,400 in cash elsewhere in the apartment.

David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews.  U.S. Attorney Weiss commented, “Selling illegal drugs, especially fentanyl made to appear as legitimate pharmaceutical oxycodone, is a potentially deadly practice that contributes to the pernicious effects of the opioid epidemic.  To ensure the safety of our community, we will seek significant federal prison sentences against all who seek to profit from such drug peddling.”

“Crest stands convicted of distributing thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained illicit fentanyl,” said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Philadelphia Field Division.  “Illicit fentanyl is a potentially deadly drug that has destroyed thousands of lives across our region; Crest’s distribution of it is all the more malicious in that he distributed it in counterfeit pill form.”   

At the same time, the U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to helping those who suffer from substance abuse disorder. If you need help, drug treatment information is available any time through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Treatment Referral Routing Service, found online at dpt2.samhsa.gov/treatment, findtreatment.gov, or by calling 1-800-662-HELP.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Ibrahim prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the DEA Wilmington Resident Agency’s Tactical Diversion Squad, Group 42.