Vero Beach ‘Molly’ Dealers Hit With Decades in Federal Prison

FORT PIERCE, FL – A Vero Beach husband and wife are facing a combined 37 years in federal prison after being convicted of running a sophisticated drug smuggling operation out of China. Julius Andrew Reason, III, 32, and Venteria Leanet Reason, 28, received their sentences on February 28, 2017, from U.S. District Court Judge Robin L. Rosenberg.

The couple’s scheme involved importing kilogram quantities of Dibutylone-HCI, a synthetic cathinone commonly known as “bath salts,” and other controlled substances directly from Chinese suppliers. Federal investigators uncovered evidence of wire transfers exceeding $59,000 sent to China between June 2014 and January 2016. They exchanged communications with chemical company representatives, haggling over prices and placing orders for illicit substances like Dibutylone and Ethylone, both Schedule I controlled substances.

The bust originated in January 2016 when U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted a package from Shanghai, China, containing approximately one kilogram of Dibutylone-HCI addressed to a P.O. Box in Vero Beach. The Reasons allegedly coerced a co-defendant into opening the P.O. Box. When the packages arrived, Julius Reason attempted to retrieve them, fleeing the scene and discarding both parcels when confronted by law enforcement. He was quickly apprehended.

A subsequent search of Julius Reason’s vehicle and residences revealed a loaded 9mm firearm, electronic devices, wire transfer records linking him to Chinese chemical companies, business cards from those companies, and over $10,168 in U.S. currency. Authorities determined that at least 20 parcels had been shipped from China to addresses linked to the Reasons in the Southern District of Florida over a nearly two-year period. Five were seized, thirteen were delivered, and the couple was ultimately responsible for trafficking over 10 kilograms of Ethylone and Dibutylone.

Julius Reason, III, received the heftier sentence of 235 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import a controlled substance and conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute Dibutylone HCI. Venteria Leanet Reason was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment, also followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import Dibutylone HCI. Both were convicted under Title 21, United States Code, Sections 952(a), 963, 846 and 841(a)(1).

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer lauded the collaborative efforts of ICE-HSI, the USPIS, and DEA in bringing the Reasons to justice. He also extended thanks to the Indian River Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger prosecuted the case. This investigation highlights the continued influx of dangerous synthetic drugs from overseas and the dedication of federal agencies to disrupting these criminal networks.