Former Greenbush Resident Pleads Guilty to Bath Salt Distribution Conspiracy and Firearms Charges

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Ryan
Ellis, 33, formerly of Greenbush, Maine pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in
Bangor to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical
compound commonly referred to as “bath salts” or “monkey dust” and to possession of firearms
during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense.

According to court records, between April and December 2011, the members of the
conspiracy illegally distributed large quantities of MDPV in Penobscot, Aroostook and Knox
counties. The defendant obtained MDPV from other conspirators, processed and repackaged it,
and distributed it to other conspirators for sale to drug addicts. On November 22, 2011, he was
found in possession of two handguns and a shotgun and nearly 400 grams of MDPV.

On the drug count, the defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or
both. On the firearms count, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison
which must be served consecutive to the drug sentence and a $250,000 fine. The defendant will
be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation
Office.

Co-defendants Elizabeth Mikotowicz, a/k/a “Beth,” Steven Orosco, a/k/a “Pablo,” Alan
Alan Ketchen, a/k/a “AJ,” Daniel Hines, Adam Hathorn, and Tina Keaton, a/k/a “Fumble,” all of
Bangor; Jessica Bryden, of Greenbush, Maine; Matthew Tardiff and Michael Tardiff, a/k/a
“Bub,” of Old Town, Maine; and Gina Nelson, of Bradley, Maine; previously pled guilty to the
conspiracy charge and await sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from
the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Brewer and Bangor Police Departments.