FORT MYERS, FL – Deena Williams, a 40-year-old resident of Lehigh Acres, Florida, has been convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methylone, a synthetic cathinone commonly known as “bath salts.” A federal jury delivered the guilty verdict, potentially sending Williams away for up to 20 years in federal prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 4, 2015.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F. Michelland, stems from a package intercepted on April 21, 2014, at an international mail facility in New York. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials discovered methylone concealed within a shipment originating from the People’s Republic of China. Rather than seize the package outright, Homeland Security Investigations agents opted for a controlled delivery.
That delivery led directly to Williams’ door in Lehigh Acres. According to evidence presented at trial, Williams knowingly accepted the parcel. She then proceeded to open it, removing the illicit substance. The indictment against Williams was handed down on April 30, 2014, setting the stage for a trial that laid bare the details of the conspiracy.
Investigators quickly determined the package wasn’t meant for Williams alone. Her brother, Titus Lamar Bellot, was identified as the intended recipient and co-conspirator. Bellot also faces charges related to the same drug conspiracy, and his trial is currently slated to begin on February 9, 2015. The scope of the operation and the extent of their network remain under investigation.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations spearheaded the investigation, meticulously tracking the package from its origin in China to its final destination in Southwest Florida. Their work, combined with the prosecution’s presentation of evidence, proved sufficient to convince the jury of Williams’ guilt.
This conviction sends a clear message: attempts to import and distribute dangerous synthetic drugs like methylone will be met with a swift and decisive response from federal law enforcement. The Grimy Times will continue to follow the case of Titus Lamar Bellot and provide updates as they become available. The sentencing of Deena Williams will likely set a precedent for similar cases in the region.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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