Lewis County, WV man convicted of synthetic drug trafficking

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – John R. Burrows, 54, of Weston, West Virginia, was convicted of synthetic drug trafficking today in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

In April 2014, Burrows sold a synthetic cannabinoid known as AM-2201 in a package labeled “Crown Worthy.” When depositing proceeds from the sale of these drugs into his bank accounts, he structured those deposits so as to avoid the reporting requirements of the Internal Revenue Service.

Burrows pled guilty today to a criminal Information charging him with one count of “Distribution of a Schedule I Drug – Controlled Substance” for which he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000, and one count of “Structuring Transactions to Evade Reporting Requirement” for which he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. 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 Robert McWilliams prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations led the inquiry. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.