A resident of Saugus, Massachusetts, Aaron Lenardis, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his role in a drug conspiracy. The case involved the production of counterfeit methamphetamine and fentanyl pills and a related firearm offense. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin handed down the sentence, which includes a five-year supervised release, following Lenardis's conviction in November 2024. Earlier, Lenardis was indicted in February 2023, alongside Charles Bates, his co-conspirator.
The investigation commenced in August 2022, focusing on Bates after he attempted to acquire a large quantity of an orange binding agent often utilized in crafting counterfeit Adderall pills. Bates was observed collecting the material from a UPS store in Boston and transporting it to Lenardis's home in Saugus, where they used a pill press to manufacture counterfeit pills.
During September and October 2022, Bates communicated with drug customers, disclosing the production details and operations at Lenardis's residence. Bates highlighted the pill press's capability to produce 5,000 pills per hour over extended periods. Authorities noted the operation produced at least 136,000 counterfeit methamphetamine pills, approximating 40 kilograms.
After experiencing technical difficulties with the pill press, Bates traveled to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to secure a replacement, which was then transported to Lenardis's residence. A search of Lenardis's property on October 25, 2022, resulted in the confiscation of an industrial pill press, multiple firearms including a modified Glock, and a significant amount of drugs.
Charles Bates, sentenced in November 2024, received a 10-year prison term, also followed by five years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Field Division, announced the sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel R. Feldman and Charles Dell’Anno prosecuted the case.