Vero Beach Couple Sentenced to Lengthy Federal Prison Terms for Importing Controlled Substances, “Molly,” from China

On February 28, 2017, in Fort Pierce, Florida, a Vero Beach husband and wife were sentenced to federal prison by United States District Court Judge Robin L. Rosenberg, for their involvement in a conspiracy to import controlled substances, commonly referred to as “Molly,” from China into the United States.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Antonio J. Gomez, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, and Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.

Julius Andrew Reason, III, 32, was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to import a controlled substance, Dibutylone- HCI, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 952(a) and 963; and conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute a controlled substance- Dibutylone HCI, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(a)(1).

Reason’s wife, Venteria Leanet Reason, 28, was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import a controlled substance- Dibutylone HCI, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 952(a) and 963.

According to Court records, in January of 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers conducted a border search of an international mail parcel shipped from Shanghai, China, destined for a U.S. Post Office (P.O.) Box located in Vero Beach, Florida, and found the parcel to contain approximately one kilogram of Dibutylone HCI, a synthetic cathinone, a/k/a “bath salts,” a schedule I controlled substance. The Reasons convinced a co-defendant to open a P.O Box. On January 14, 2016, Julius Reason contacted the Vero Beach Post Office, inquiring about the whereabouts of two parcels. On January 15, 2016, Julius Reason was notified that his packages were ready for pickup. A codefendant then visited the post office and picked up the packages, before meeting Julius Reason and turning over the parcels. When Julius Reason saw law enforcement he fled from the scene, throwing both parcels.

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized items including, a loaded 9mm firearm from Julius Reason’s vehicle and electronic devices, wire transfer records, Chinese chemical company business cards, and $10,168.00 in U.S. currency from his residences.

The investigation further revealed that between June 2014 and January 2016, Julius Reason and his wife Venteria Reason sent wire transfers to China exceeding $59,000. Julius and Venteria Reason, exchanged communications with two separate Chinese chemical company representatives discussing prices and ordering synthetic cathinones, including Dibutylone and Ethylone, Schedule I controlled substances. The defendants also communicated by text message regarding the local delivery and sales of another controlled substance, commonly referred to as “Molly.”

Between June 2014, and January 18, 2016, at least 20 parcels were shipped from China to U.S. P.O. Boxes and addresses linked to Julius and Venteria Reason, in the Southern District of Florida. Five of those parcels were seized by law enforcement and thirteen parcels were delivered. Ultimately, they were held responsible for over 10 kilograms of Ethylone and Dibuylone.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI, the USPIS and DEA. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the Indian River Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this matter. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.