Massachusetts man pleads guilty, accused of being responsible for the manufacturing of over 200 kilograms of counterfeit pills

BOSTON – A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with an ongoing investigation of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Over the course of the past four years, the defendant is alleged to have been responsible for the manufacturing of over 200 kilograms of counterfeit pills.

According to a release from the Massachusetts Department of Justice, Schuyler Oppenheimer, a/k/a “SK,” a/k/a “Michael Sylvain,” 35, of Cambridge pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of wire fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for April 17, 2026. In July 2025, Oppenheimer was arrested and charged. He was subsequently indicted in August 2025.

According to court documents, Oppenheimer is known to be technically skilled in the chemical processes used in the synthesis of fentanyl, the compounding of controlled substances for distribution and the manufacturing of counterfeit pills. Recipes, pill press molds used in the manufacturing process, documents and invoices demonstrating that Oppenheimer purchased numerous pill presses and parts for pill presses from online vendors were seized. Multiple packages shipped from China to Oppenheimer, and various female associates of Oppenheimer, that contained pill press parts, were also seized.

Based on the review of orders and invoices from companies selling powders and other substances used in the pill manufacturing process, since 2019, Oppenheimer obtained over 200 kilograms of these filler powders. According to the recipes recovered during the investigation, when manufactured into counterfeit pills, 200 kilograms of filler powder equates to millions of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Additionally, Oppenheimer communicated directly with an illegal chemical supplier based in China. During this conversation, Oppenheimer inquired about the availability of controlled substances and fentanyl precursor chemicals and sought to purchase kilogram quantities of these substances. Fentanyl precursor chemicals are substances that can be used to synthesize raw fentanyl in a laboratory setting. Oppenheimer sought to synthesize his own fentanyl through the importation of these fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States.

Lastly, Oppenheimer obtained over $40,000 through two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications that were submitted in April 2021. Oppenheimer submitted false statements concerning his income through self-employment for the 2019 tax years and provided false tax return documents substantiating that income.

During the execution of a search warrant on Parker Street in Cambridge on July 18, 2024, over five kilograms of suspected counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine and a loaded firearm were recovered. Based on prior felony convictions, Oppenheimer is prohibited from possessing firearms. 

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000,000. The charge of wire fraud provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Jennifer B. De La O, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cambridge Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.