St. Charles Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug And Weapons Charges

St. Louis, MO –EHRICK PREIS admitted with his plea in court documents that on six occasions, between December 2012 and March 2013, he distributed at total of 858 units of LSD to undercover law enforcement personnel in exchange for more than $6,000 in St. Charles County. During the transactions, Preis made statements indicating he knew the substance was intended for human consumption, including statements that the substance was "LSA, 2CI and LSD," a "beefed up version of LSD."  A subsequent search of Preis’s residence following the sixth drug purchase revealed two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), pipe bomb type devices/destructive devices, which he admitted creating.

Preis, St. Charles, MO, pled guilty before United States District Judge Carol E. Jackson to one felony count of distribution of a controlled substance and one felony count of possession of an unregistered destructive device.  Sentencing has been set for November 14, 2013.

The drug charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; the weapons charge carries a maximum of ten years prison and/or fines up to $10,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the St. Louis County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Michael Reilly is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.