Sometimes, the people we trust the most can lead us into the worst kinds of trouble — even when they’re family.
That was the case for 61-year-old Chris Ruediger from Pennsauken, New Jersey, who just received a 16-month federal prison sentence for his role in a family-driven drug operation involving oxycodone, a powerful and highly addictive opioid.
A Secret Prescription Pipeline
Between November 2022 and March 2023, Ruediger was caught buying prescription oxycodone pills from one relative and selling them to another.
The second relative, it turns out, was already involved in an illegal drug distribution network.
The Justice Department revealed that Ruediger admitted to moving between 100 and 400 kilograms of opioids when measured in “converted drug weight,” a calculation used by the government to account for potency.
Trying to Cover His Tracks
As if the drug trafficking wasn’t bad enough, Ruediger also tried to interfere with the investigation.
According to court documents, he attempted to convince a co-conspirator not to cooperate with law enforcement. That move didn’t help his case — and likely added to the severity of his sentence.
Plea Deal and Guilty Verdict
Back in November 2024, Ruediger pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
That plea essentially confirmed his role in the family drug scheme, and his attempts to sidestep justice.
A Joint Agency Effort
The case was brought forward by Matthew R. Galeotti from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, along with Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office.
Investigators from the FBI’s South Jersey branch, with help from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, handled the investigation.
Behind the Prosecution
On the legal side, Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section were the ones prosecuting Ruediger’s case.
Their department plays a big role in fighting health care fraud across the country.
Through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, they’ve gone after thousands of defendants since 2007, recovering billions in falsely billed services to both government and private insurers.
Taking Accountability Seriously
This latest case adds to the growing list of people held accountable under the Justice Department’s aggressive pursuit of those who abuse the health care and pharmaceutical system for profit.
If you’re curious to learn more about the government’s fight against health care fraud, you can check out additional details at justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
