Mother, Son Plead Guilty To Selling Illegal Bath Salts

LAKE CHARLES, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Verna Dean Oliver, 50, and Daniel Jerome Oliver, 27, both of Lake Charles, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi, to possession with intent to distribute methylenedioxypyrovalerone and methylone.

According to the evidence presented at the guilty pleas, a package containing methylenedioxypyrovalerone and methylone, also known as bath salts, was intercepted from China on June 8, 2012.  It was bound for the Lake Charles home of Verna Oliver and her son, Daniel Oliver.  Authorities delivered the package to the home on June 26, 2012.  After observing Daniel Oliver sign for the package, they detained Daniel Oliver and Verna Oliver and searched the home.  Various quantities of bath salts, scales, and bags were found.

The defendants each face up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and at least three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  Sentencing is set for June 26, 2014.

Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Lake Charles Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth are prosecuting the case.