Ryan Welch, Distributing Synthetic Drug, Connecticut 2016

A federal crime investigation at a Connecticut university has led to a guilty plea from a 22-year-old football player.

Ryan Welch, 22, of Salem, Massachusetts, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to distributing a synthetic hallucinogenic drug at Wesleyan University.

Welch pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 2C-E and 2C-B, Schedule I controlled substances (hallucinogens).

The offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.

Welch purchased the synthetic drug on the Dark Web using Bitcoin, then distributed it to between 15 and 20 other members of the football team during the 2015 season.

He initially distributed the drug in liquid form, mixing it in a water bottle with a non-alcoholic drink, and later distributed it in powder form, in clear capsules. Some teammates referred to the 2C-B distributed by Welch as ‘Welchie’s drug’ or ‘Welchie’s special’. Certain players paid Welch approximately $10 for each single-dose capsule.

Welch was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on January 21, 2016. He was released on a $100,000 bond. Judge Bolden scheduled sentencing for May 20, 2016.

‘Federal law enforcement once again finds itself on a university campus, investigating the broad distribution of a synthetic hallucinogen that nearly caused the fatal overdose of a college student,’ said U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly.

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