Middlesex County, New Jersey, Man Admits Role In

NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man today admitted his role in a conspiracy to traffic approximately four kilograms of ethylone from China to New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Thomas Seymore, 38, of Carteret, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiring to distribute ethylone, a Schedule I controlled substance. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On June 10, 2014, Seymore conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute approximately four kilograms of ethylone, which had been ordered from China and shipped to a location in Teaneck, New Jersey.  Ethylone is an illegal synthetic drug that stimulates the nervous system and can cause hallucinogenic effects. Seymore was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 18, 2016, for his role in the drug trafficking conspiracy. 

The conspiracy charge to which Seymore pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.  Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2017. 

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents and task force officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Terence S. Opiola, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service under the direction of Inspector in Charge Maria L. Kelokates.   

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan M. Peck and Tazneen Shahabuddin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.