Codefendant in Methylone Distribution Case sentenced to one year in Federal Prison

Anchorage, Alaska - U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that Chad Cameron, 19, of Wasilla, Alaska, was sentenced to one year in federal prison for his role in the methylone conspiracy that resulted in the April 2012 death of Matt Scott.  Robin Gattis, 20, was sentenced to 16 years in prison earlier this month.

Cameron pled guilty in March 2013, admitting that he attempted to possess 850 grams of methylone that was shipped from China to Alaska in July 2012.  In the plea agreement, Cameron also admitted that he had wired money to China to pay for drugs beginning in November 2011, when he was still a juvenile.  Cameron also admitted wiring money to China in June 2012, after Scott’s death, to purchase more methylone.  That shipment, addressed to Cameron, was intercepted by U.S. Customs in Chicago.  Cameron was arrested along with Gattis and codefendant Stephen Kimbrell on the Kenai Peninsula in July 2012, after Customs intercepted another package addressed to Kimbrell in Soldotna.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline imposed the sentence.  Chief Judge Beistline referred to designer drugs such as methylone as “an epidemic” in this community.  Cameron told the judge that the drugs were his “escape” and said “I did it for fun.”  Cameron said that he thought it was “no big deal” to sell the drugs, and that he expected at most a “slap on the wrist” if he were caught.   In addition to Gattis, two other defendants have already been sentenced to terms of probation.  Three remaining defendants are scheduled for sentencing in January.

Methylone, a Schedule I controlled substance, also popularly known as “Molly,” “M1,” “MDMC,” and “Rolls,” is a synthetic drug similar to ecstasy (“MDMA”),  and is  commonly imported  from China via the internet for use in the U.S., particularly at clubs, parties and other social gatherings such as “raves.”

Ms. Loeffler commends Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Anchorage Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Mat-Su Drug Unit for the investigation of this case.