FLEMINGTON, NJ (Hunterdon County) – Four women appeared in federal court this week to admit their respective roles in an oxycodone distribution conspiracy in Flemington, and elsewhere, according to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.
Alicia Balaban, 35, of Wellington, Florida; Marie DeJulia, 42, of Lodi, New Jersey; and Michele Call, 63, and Nelida Rios, 55, both of Flemington, were previously charged by complaint. They entered their guilty pleas – to informations charging them each with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone – before U.S. District Judge Freda Wolfson in Trenton federal court.
According to the documents filed in the case and statements made in Court, Balaban, is Call’s daughter and DeJulia’s friend. From April 2016 through December 2017, Balaban, Call, and Rios worked together to secure prescriptions for oxycodone, fill them at pharmacies in Flemington, and then distribute the pills to DeJulia from Call’s and Rios’ Flemington residences for resale. The conspirators distributed thousands of 30 mg oxycodone pills.
Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the offense. Sentencing for Rios and Balaban is scheduled for July 20, 2018, and for Call and DeJulia, July 24, 2018.
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By: Jay Edwards Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
