BOSTON - A 35-year-old Cambridge, Mass., man who manufactured millions of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine while communicating directly with an illegal chemical supplier in China was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced.
U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV sentenced Schuyler Oppenheimer, also known as “SK” and “Michael Sylvain,” to the 13-year term followed by five years of supervised release. Oppenheimer pleaded guilty in January to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of wire fraud. He was arrested in July 2025 and indicted the following month.
Investigators found Oppenheimer was technically skilled in fentanyl synthesis, controlled-substance compounding, and counterfeit pill manufacturing. Seized evidence included recipes, pill press molds, and invoices showing he purchased numerous pill presses and parts from online vendors. Multiple packages shipped from China to Oppenheimer and various female associates contained additional pill press components.
A review of orders and invoices dating to 2019 showed Oppenheimer obtained over 200 kilograms of filler powders and manufacturing materials. According to recipes recovered during the investigation, 200 kilograms of filler powder equates to millions of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Oppenheimer also communicated directly with a China-based illegal chemical supplier, inquiring about the availability of controlled substances and fentanyl precursor chemicals and seeking to import kilogram quantities of those substances into the United States.
During a search in Cambridge on July 18, 2024, federal agents recovered over five kilograms of suspected counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. Oppenheimer is prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior felony convictions.
Oppenheimer also obtained over $40,000 through two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications submitted in April 2021, in which he provided false statements about self-employment income for the 2019 tax year and submitted fabricated tax return documents.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks, DEA New England Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jarod A. Forget, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations Jennifer B. De La O, and Massachusetts State Police Superintendent Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble announced the sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case, with assistance from the Cambridge Police Department. Oppenheimer will begin his five years of supervised release upon completing the 13-year prison term.