NEWARK, N.J. - Two women have admitted to their respective roles in a conspiracy to illegally obtain and distribute oxycodone in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced today.
Alexis Horvath, 27, of Belleville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an indictment charging her with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Sabrina Vajda, 32, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty before Judge Salas on June 13, 2016, to a superseding information charging her with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Using confidential sources, physical surveillance, and recorded text messages and telephone calls, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) discovered that members and suppliers of a drug trafficking organization secured prescriptions for oxycodone and other controlled substances from various doctors in New Jersey, filled them at pharmacies in Belleville and elsewhere, and sold the drugs for a profit. The investigation identified Horvath and Vajda as members of the drug trafficking organization.
Horvath admitted that between Feb. 5, 2014, and Aug. 13, 2014, she personally obtained prescriptions for oxycodone-containing pills from doctors, had those prescriptions filled at pharmacies, and then re-sold the pills to others. She admitted that she bought 70 30 mg. oxycodone pills from one conspirator on June 29, 2014 in Jersey City, New Jersey, and then sold them to another conspirator.
Vajda admitted that between May 3, 2014 and Aug. 13, 2014, she also worked with other conspirators to obtain prescriptions for oxycodone-containing pills from doctors, had those prescriptions filled at pharmacies, and then resold the pills to others. On May 7, 2014, she went to a doctor’s office near Paterson, New Jersey with three conspirators and obtained a prescription for pills that contained oxycodone from that doctor. She then sold the oxycodone pills from her prescription to others.
Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance - meaning that it has a high potential for abuse, a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions, and abuse of the drug may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
The charge to which Horvath and Vajda each pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing for Horvath and Vajda is scheduled for Sept. 19, 2016.
Of the individuals originally charged with Horvath and Vajda, Victoria Horvath, 43, and Rickie Horvath, 54, of Belleville, New Jersey; Monica Horvath, 22, Tony Marco, 47, and Steven Horvath, 45, all of Rutherford, New Jersey, and Justin Farraj, 24, and Matthew Policarpio, 28, of Newark, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Brian Perez, 23, was sentenced to a term of 40 months in prison in September 2014. Luis Rivera, 25, was sentenced to 54 months in prison in August 2015. Daniel Horvath, 27, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and Johnny Horvath, 46, was sentenced to 30 months in prison in April 2016. Charges were dismissed against Belleville pharmacist Vincent Cozzarelli after his death in April 2014.
The indictment remains pending against four other conspirators. The charges and allegations in the indictment against them are merely accusations, and they remain innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited the DEA’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark. This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
Defense counsel:
Horvath: Anthony Iacullo Esq., Nutley, New Jersey
Vajda: Laurie Fierro Esq., Kinnelon, New Jersey
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
