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Bath Salt Dealer Gets 25 Years
Bangor, Maine – Ryan Ellis, 33, formerly of Greenbush, Maine, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in a massive bath salts conspiracy that plagued the state’s north woods. Ellis pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly referred to as “bath salts” or “monkey dust.”
According to court records, between April and December 2011, Ellis and his co-conspirators distributed large quantities of MDPV in Penobscot, Aroostook, and Knox counties. Ellis obtained MDPV from other conspirators, processed and repackaged it, and distributed it to other conspirators for sale to drug addicts. On November 22, 2011, Ellis was found in possession of two handguns and a shotgun and nearly 400 grams of MDPV.
Ellis faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison for the firearms count, which must be served consecutive to the drug sentence. He also faces a $250,000 fine for the firearms count. On the drug count, Ellis faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both.
Co-defendants Elizabeth Mikotowicz, a/k/a “Beth,” Steven Orosco, a/k/a “Pablo,” Alan Ketchen, a/k/a “AJ,” Daniel Hines, Adam Hathorn, and Tina Keaton, a/k/a “Fumble,” all of Bangor; Jessica Bryden, of Greenbush, Maine; Matthew Tardiff and Michael Tardiff, a/k/a “Bub,” of Old Town, Maine; and Gina Nelson, of Bradley, Maine; previously pled guilty to the conspiracy charge and await sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Brewer and Bangor Police Departments.
U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced Ellis’ guilty plea, which was accepted by U.S. District Court Judge John A. Woodcock Jr. Ellis will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
Ellis’ guilty plea brings to an end a massive investigation that targeted a network of bath salts dealers who terrorized the state’s north woods. The case highlights the dangers of bath salts and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat this deadly substance.
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Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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