News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2006

Three Sentenced To Over Ten Years Each In Drug Distribution
Resulting In Death Case

SEP 5 -- PORTLAND, OREGON - On September 5, 2006, United States District Court Judge Ancer Haggerty sentenced Salem residents PAMELA SCHWARZKOPF, age 48, ETHAN VINCENT PARKS, age 23, and ELLEN KRIKAVA PARKS, age 23, to 121 months imprisonment each for their role in providing heroin to Adam Burch, age 19, who died from an overdose in Salem in September 2004. The defendants were also ordered to reimburse Adam’s family the cost of Adam’s burial.

This is the second case of its kind in Oregon wherein federal prosecutors have used a federal law to subject drug distributors to an enhanced penalty for drug distribution which results in the death of the user.

In 2005, convicted heroin traffickers Jason Welty and Jennifer Hanson were sentenced to 151 months imprisonment each for their role in selling heroin to one of their buyers who died from an overdose.

This case and the 2005 case stemmed from a combined investigation between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Salem Police Department.

For additional information, please contact Assistant United States Attorney Kathleen Bickers at 503 727-1060 or the Public Information Officer Diane Peterson 503 727-1066.