First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging Amanda Hovanec, Anthony Theodorou and Anita Green with participating in a conspiracy that led to the death of an induvial known to the Grand Jury as T.H. on or about April 24, 2022, in Auglaize County, Ohio.
Defendants Hovanec and Theodorou are charged with conspiracy to import a controlled substance, importation of a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance. Each of the five counts in the indictment against Defendants Hovanec and Theodorou carries a sentencing penalty enhancement due to the death of an individual as a result of the use of the controlled substance. Defendant Green is charged with one count of accessory after the fact.
According to the indictment, in or around February 2022 and continuing through March 2022, Defendants Hovanec and Theodorou conspired together to import Etorphine (M99), a Schedule I or II controlled substance, into the United States. The indictment states that on April 24, 2022, as a result of the importation and distribution of the M99 controlled substance, Hovanec and Theodorou allegedly caused the death of T.H.
The indictment further alleges that on or about April 24, 2022, continuing through April 28, 2022, Defendant Green, knowing that Defendants Hovanec and Theodorou had allegedly caused the death of T.H. by means of distribution of a controlled substance, assisted the two in order to hinder and prevent their apprehension, trial and punishment.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentence will be determined by the court after a review of factors unique to this case, including prior criminal record, if any, role in the offenses, and the characteristics of the violation.
In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Toledo FBI, Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, Northwest Ohio Safe Streets Task Force, Ohio BCI, Wapakoneta Police Department, St. Mary’s Police Department and the Grand Lake Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Freeman and Alissa M. Sterling.