Berkeley County man admits to role in “boot” distribution operation

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Anthony Joseph Shants, Jr., of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a drug conspiracy, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.

Shants, also known as “Lul Draco,” 24, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Eutylone” and one count of “Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.” Shants admitted to selling Eutylone, also known as “boot,” and having a firearm during the crime in Berkeley County, in April 2021.

Shants faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million for the drug charge and he faces at least five and up life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Martinsburg Police Department; the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department; the Virginia State Police, Montgomery County; and Maryland State Attorney’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.