DENVER – Leslie Renee Hee, age 40, of Denver, Colorado, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge John L. Kane to serve 180 months (15 years) in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute, dispense and possess with intent to distribute and dispense controlled substances, including prescription and illegal narcotics, United States Attorney John Walsh and DEA Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Barbra Roach announced. Following her 15 year prison sentence, Hee was ordered to serve 3 years on supervised release. Hee appeared at the hearing in custody, and was remanded at its conclusion.

Hee and co-defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on May 4, 2011. On April 30, 2012, Hee pled guilty to conspiracy. Hee was sentenced on October 15, 2012 following a two-day sentencing hearing.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, in June 2008, law enforcement was involved in a long-term investigation, and came across the defendant, Leslie Hee. During the course of that investigation, it was determined that Leslie Hee was exhibiting conduct consistent with illegal drug distribution. Agents and officers then began to investigate Leslie Hee. During the course of that investigation, it was determined that she was working with a handful of confidants who would obtain controlled substances, all from the same medical doctor. The confidants would then turn the highly addictive prescription narcotics over to Hee. Hee then charged customers $1 per milligram. Agents and officers observed Hee and a co-defendant sell the narcotics from an SUV in various parking lots. As part of the investigation, law enforcement introduced an undercover agent, who purchased prescription drugs, including Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Oxycotin, Xanax, as well as illegal drugs, including MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy), cocaine and marijuana from Hee and her co-defendant. Some of the sales took place within 1,000 feet of West High School. During the course of the investigation it was determined that two people died from taking the drugs distributed by Hee.

During the course of the investigation it was determined that Hee was being investigated not only by the DEA and Denver Police Department, but also by the West Metro Drug Task Force. The various agencies then worked together, targeting the Hee Drug Trafficking organization. Nine people, including Hee, were indicted as a result of the joint investigation.

“Prescription drug diversion and abuse is a severe and growing problem,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “As this case tragically demonstrates, people can overdoes and die when they abuse powerful prescription drugs.”

“Leslie Hee profited from destroying lives through her illegal distribution of oxycodone and other drugs,” said DEA Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Barbra Roach. “Abuse of prescription drugs can lead to overdose deaths, as this case sadly reveals. Hee’s federal prison sentence should be a clear warning to those involved in the illegal diversion of pharmaceuticals that DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will bring to justice those involved in criminal activity.”

This case was investigated by the Denver Police Department’s Vice/Drug Control Bureau, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, and the West Metro Drug Task Force.

Hee was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney M.J. Menendez.

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