Related Federal Cases
Texas Man Charged in Online Drug Ring
Orlando, FL – Matthew Jones, a/k/a “Caligirl,” “Dynamite2k,” “Dynamite`,” “Tyler Zeddai,” “Mateo Jones” (44, Dallas, Texas) has been arrested and charged with the illegal distribution of controlled substances.
Jones, who was operating as the vendor “Caligirl” on the Silk Road drug marketplace, is accused of selling controlled substances to customers across the country. According to the authorities, Caligirl’s Silk Road account completed 685 finalized sales of controlled substances between April 10, 2013, and September 9, 2013.
Between July 11, 2013, and March 20, 2014, DEA agents purchased and seized more than 400 Oxycodone tablets and more than 900 Hydrocodone tablets from Jones. Jones shipped the controlled substances from Texas to Central Florida.
In addition to operating on Silk Road, Jones conducted his illicit drug trafficking business utilizing an encrypted and anonymized program called Bitmessage. Bitmessage is a decentralized, peer-to-peer, communications protocol that is used to send encrypted messages from one person to another or from one person to multiple persons.
Jones, who made an initial appearance this morning in the Southern District of Florida, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison if convicted. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Orlando District Office with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service in Dallas, Texas. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haas.
Jones, who is being held without bond, is scheduled to appear in court again on [insert date]. His arrest marks a significant blow to the online drug trade, and highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the sale of illicit substances.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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