Allen M. Young, Methylone Distribution, New York 2013

A Barker man was sentenced to 200 months in prison after distributing over a pound and a half of methylone, a synthetic cathinone, in Orleans County.

Allen M. Young, 40, of Barker, NY, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methylone and fled from law enforcement during a search warrant. He was arrested in Erie, Pennsylvania on February 14, 2013, and later had a search warrant executed at his residence, where seven firearms were seized.

The charges against Young stem from a conspiracy with Peter Viera to obtain methylone from China, which Young then distributed. On December 13, 2012, while members of the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force were attempting to execute a search warrant on Young and his car, he fled at a high rate of speed before crashing the car in Ridgeway, NY. Young fled the scene on foot, leaving behind a backpack containing 1.8 pounds of methylone and just over one pound of marijuana.

Young was subsequently arrested and sentenced to 200 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. Peter Viera was also convicted and sentenced to 70 months in prison.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation on the part of the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, under the direction of District Attorney Joseph V. Cardone and Sheriff Randall Bower, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank T. Pimentel, who handled the case, stated that the defendant conspired with Peter Viera to obtain methylone from China, which Young then distributed. Young was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methylone.

The investigation uncovered a significant amount of evidence, including 1.8 pounds of methylone and just over one pound of marijuana found in a backpack near the scene of the crash, as well as nine rounds of .50 caliber ammunition found in the car.

Young's case serves as a reminder of the dangers of synthetic cathinones and the importance of law enforcement's efforts to combat drug trafficking in our community.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/orleans-county-sentenced-distributing-methylone