Darknet Drug Vendor Arrested for Distributing Illicit Prescription Drugs

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Georgia man made his initial appearance in federal court here today on charges of distributing illicit prescription drugs over the Darknet.

According to court documents, Cullen Roberts, 22, of Duluth, used the moniker “Pillpusher” to sell prescription opioids and other scheduled narcotics on a Darknet market called Yellow Brick. The FBI began investigating Roberts by conducting a series of undercover purchases of various types of prescription drugs via the Darknet.

Roberts was identified as “Pillpusher” when he was observed dropping off one of the packages addressed to the undercover agent at the U.S. Post Office in Cumming, Georgia. Agents subsequently intercepted a package sent by Roberts and discovered dozens of tablets of Tramadol. Agents also searched Roberts’s trash and recovered empty boxes that had contained oxycodone and alprazolam (brand name Xanax).

Roberts also has pending charges in Forsyth County, Georgia for making terroristic threats.

Roberts was arrested yesterday and is charged with distribution of controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Hi-Tech Opioid Task Force. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service Atlanta, and the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office provided significant assistance with this investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Rumbaugh is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:20-mj-332.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.