Schuyler Oppenheimer of Cambridge pleaded guilty in Boston federal court Wednesday to manufacturing over 200 kilograms of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl. He was also convicted of obtaining more than $40,000 in fraudulent loans, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Officials said Oppenheimer, 35, also known as “SK” or “Michael Sylvain,” is skilled in the chemical process of fentanyl synthesis, compounding controlled substances for distribution, and the manufacturing of counterfeit pills. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of wire fraud, according to the Attorney’s Office.
Beginning in 2019, Oppenheimer obtained over 200 kilograms of filler powders from pill manufacturing and pill powder companies, according to orders and invoices reviewed by authorities. Based on recipes obtained by authorities, that amount of filler powder can equate to millions of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The case had its start in August 2022, when a notebook retrieved from the trash at Oppenheimer’s Everett residence confirmed he ordered from suppliers using the name “Michael Sylvain.” The notebook also included information regarding customers, drug manufacturing, supplies and contact information for Sylvain at 6 Fountain Ave. in East Somerville.
Following a two-year investigation by the Gang Task Force, on July 18, 2024, authorities executed a search warrant at 36 Parker Street and recovered five kilograms of suspected counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine. Similar orange pills and fentanyl pills stamped as Percocet pills – which is done to “mislead drug users into believing the product is safer and of a higher quality” – were also found in the trash at Oppenheimer’s Everett home. He was arrested in July 2024. Charging documents outline 11 previous charges brought against Oppenheimer, including a conviction for possession to distribute a class B substance.
Oppenheimer was also in direct communication with an illegal chemical supplier based in China. During conversations with the supplier, he asked about the availability of controlled substances and fentanyl precursor materials with the intention of purchasing them and utilizing them to synthesize raw fentanyl in a lab setting, authorities said.
Pill press molds and documents and invoices showing Oppenheimer purchased pill presses and pill press parts from online vendors were also seized during the investigation, authorities said.
Additionally, a loaded gun was found, which Oppenheimer is prohibited from possessing due to prior felony convictions.
In addition, in April 2021 Oppenheimer submitted false statements regarding his self-employment for 2019 and false tax return documents for said income in two Paycheck Protection Program loan applications, authorities said. He received two installments of $20,833 for “payroll costs” in April and May 2021, which he deposited into his personal account at Cambridge Savings Bank.
He is set to be sentenced on April 17.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine provides a sentence of 10 years to life in prison with five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Each count of wire fraud provides a maximum sentence of 20 years with up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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