Pittsburgh Woman Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Illegally Obtain and Distribute Rx Painkillers

PITTSBURGH, PA – One resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of healthcare fraud and possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of opiate painkiller, oxycodone, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Marion Randolph, age 64, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Randolph participated in a criminal network of drug dealers who obtained opiate painkillers and then illegally distributed them to users in the Pittsburgh area. Randolph sold prescription pills that she obtained through a health benefit program to dealers in the criminal network and to other people. She obtained the pills under the false pretense that she intended to use the pills herself when, in fact, she intended to and did distribute some of the pills to others.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for November 16, 2018.  The law provides for a total sentence of not more than twenty years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Randolph.