Cambridge Man Sentenced In Counterfeit Pill Manufacturing Case

CAMBRIDGE, MA — A resident was sentenced in federal court in Boston on Thursday in connection with a large-scale counterfeit pill manufacturing operation involving fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

Schuyler Oppenheimer, 35, also known as "SK" and "Michael Sylvain," pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors said Oppenheimer was involved in manufacturing counterfeit pills and communicated directly with an illegal chemical supplier in China to obtain controlled substances and fentanyl precursor chemicals.

Subscribe

Investigators reportedly recovered recipes, pill press molds, and records showing Oppenheimer purchased multiple pill presses and parts online. Authorities also seized packages shipped from China containing pill press components. According to prosecutors, Oppenheimer obtained more than 200 kilograms of filler powders and manufacturing materials since 2019, enough to produce millions of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.

During a search of his Cambridge property in July 2024, investigators recovered more than five kilograms of suspected counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. Prosecutors said Oppenheimer, who has prior felony convictions, was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Federal authorities also alleged that Oppenheimer fraudulently obtained more than $40,000 through two Paycheck Protection Program loan applications submitted in 2021 by providing false information about his self-employment income and tax records.

U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV sentenced Oppenheimer. His term is scheduled to be followed by five years of supervised release.

See Also:

Arrest Made In Connection With Harvard Campus Dormitory Assaults

Cambridge-based Food Company Closing All Locations

Cambridge Shooting Suspect To Remain In Custody Until Trial After Dangerousness Hearing

Cambridge Man Arrested On Illegal Drug And Weapon Charges

2 Men Accused Of Causing Harvard Medical School Explosion Plead Guilty