Mark Faulkner, Distribution of Fentanyl Analogue, Virginia 2020

RICHMOND, Va. – A former Richmond man has been caught up in a multi-agency federal investigation into illegal drug sales on dark web marketplaces.

Mark Faulkner, 36, pleaded guilty today to distribution of a controlled substance analogue, specifically cyclopropyl fentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl.

According to court documents, Faulkner used the vendor name CHANG1927 to advertise Adderall and fentanyl products on multiple dark markets. Investigators identified Faulkner through Bitcoin exchange transactions and three purchases of drugs that were advertised as fentanyl.

Forensic testing later determined that the substance was actually cyclopropyl fentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl.

Faulkner pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance analogue and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on April 29. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case was announced by G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., Peter R. Rendina, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and David W. Archey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office.

Faulkner’s sentencing is scheduled for April 29, 2020.

Faulkner is a former resident of Richmond, Virginia.

Faulkner used the dark web to sell fentanyl, a highly addictive and potentially deadly opioid.

The dark web is a part of the internet that is not easily accessible to the general public and is often used for illicit activities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/man-pleads-guilty-selling-drugs-dark-web