Federal Detainee Pleads Guilty to Importing “Molly” and Smuggling Designer Drug into Essex County Correctional Facility

BOSTON – A federal detainee being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with importing several kilograms of methylone, also known as “molly,” from China and distributing it in Massachusetts.  He also admitted to smuggling a small quantity of the designer drug alpha-PVP, also known as “flakka,” into the Essex County Correctional Facility.

Harold Bates, 32, of Rockland, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to import methylone, importation of methylone, possession with intent to distribute methylone, and possession of a controlled substance by an inmate.  U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10, 2015.

In October 2013, Bates began ordering substantial quantities of methylone over the Internet from his supplier based in China.  Bates and the supplier discussed methods of concealing the drugs to avoid detection.  When the methylone packages were shipped to Bates, the Chinese supplier included documents that falsely described the packages as containing samples of household items such as cosmetics with a value of $10 to $20 when, in fact, the drugs were worth considerably more.

Federal agents discovered Bates’ scheme and, in December 2013, obtained search warrants for two international packages.  Both packages contained half a kilogram of methylone, which is a synthetic cathinone or “designer drug,” that is often referred to as “molly.”

In March 2014, Bates’s was arrested and charged with importing and distributing methylone.  He was ordered detained and held at Essex County Correctional Facility.  Shortly after Bates’s arrival, law enforcement officers learned that Bates had smuggled 4.70 grams of alpha-PVP, another synthetic cathinone (also known as “flakka”), into the facility by inserting the drugs into his rectum.

The charging statutes for methylone provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison per count, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million.  The charge of possessing a controlled substance while being a federal detainee provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz; Rockland Police Chief John R. Llewellyn; and Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins, Jr., made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of Ortiz’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit.