Two Massachusetts men, Elmidio Crisostomo of Lynnfield and David Depena of Lynn, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and other controlled substances. The plea was entered before U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns, who scheduled sentencing for December 10, 2025.
Federal prosecutors said Crisostomo and Depena operated out of an apartment in Lynn where they produced counterfeit pills using a hand-crank-style press. Authorities recovered multiple kilograms of pills and powder containing fentanyl during a search of the apartment in June 2023. The operation distributed thousands of these pills to customers in Malden, Revere, and other nearby towns.
Both men were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023 on one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and fines up to $1 million. Sentencing will be determined according to federal guidelines.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lynn Police Department and the Revere Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.”
