Kevin Peterson, Conspiracy to Distribute Bath Salts, Pennsylvania 2017 · Florida
Jason Randazzo, Bath Salts Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2019 · Texas
Christopher Smith, Conspiracy to Distribute Kilogram Quantities of Heroin, Pennsylvania 2018 · South Carolina
Jason Randazzo, Bath Salts Importation, Pennsylvania 2019 · Texas
David Landis, Conspiracy to Import and Distribute Controlled Substances, Pennsylvania 2021 · Washington

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Luzerne County Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Bath Salts
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Luzerne County Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Bath Salts

SCRANTON, Pennsylvania – Robert Benussi, III, a 26-year-old man from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute alpha-pvp, commonly known as ‘bath salts.’

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Benussi admitted to agreeing with others to distribute the drug to customers in the Luzerne County area during 2014 and 2015. The members of the conspiracy obtained the alpha-pvp from suppliers in China.

Benussi also admitted that he and others used force, threats, and intimidation in connection with the drug conspiracy.

Benussi was one of seven people charged by a grand jury in August 2016. That indictment was the fourth wave of arrests connected to alpha-pvp distribution in Luzerne County. In all, 18 people have been charged in the case since July 2013, including a Texas-based supplier of the bath salts. Benussi is the fourteenth defendant to plead guilty in the case.

Benussi is currently detained in prison pending sentencing, which is scheduled for May 19, 2017. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspectors, the Drug Enforcement Administration, members of the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police from Luzerne County. Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.

Benussi’s guilty plea is a significant victory in the ongoing effort to combat the distribution of dangerous chemicals and narcotics in our communities. The excellent investigative work in this case conducted by HSI Special Agents, our Task Force Officers from the Pennsylvania State Police, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspectors directly resulted in the today’s guilty plea.