SANTA ANA, California – A Huntington Beach man was sentenced today to 180 months in federal prison for being part of a father-and-son crew that illegally distributed methamphetamine on one of the world’s largest darknet marketplaces.

William Thomas Glarner III, 65, was sentenced by United States District Judge David O. Carter, who said that Glarner had “earned” his sentence and had “spent a lifetime” working his way to federal prison.

After a four-day trial, a federal jury in June found Glarner guilty of three methamphetamine distribution-related charges. Glarner was observed mailing packages of methamphetamine, including one to a darknet customer, according to evidence presented at trial. A search warrant executed on March 14 on Glarner and his vehicle resulted in the seizure of more than 1.4 kilograms (3.1 pounds) of methamphetamine.

The term “darknet” refers to computer networks that utilize some of the Internet, but provide greater anonymity, allowing vendors to sell goods and services – such as illegal drug sales – often in exchange for virtual currency.

Glarner was identified as part of an overall investigation into the darknet activity of his son, William Thomas Glarner IV, a.k.a. “Billy,” 34, of Irvine, who pleaded guilty on June 17 to one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The elder Glarner acted as a mailer of drugs for his son’s methamphetamine distribution operation.

Glarner IV admitted in his plea agreement that he used at least three monikers to obscure his true identity on the darknet, including on the “Tor” darknet browser, where he conducted more than 1,500 sales of controlled substances, including methamphetamine.

Glarner IV admitted he obtained drugs from various sources, and along with others, mailed drugs to darknet customers nationwide by using such services as the United States Postal Service and commercial couriers. A search warrant executed at his residence and on his car on March 14 resulted in law enforcement officials recovering 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) of methamphetamine, court papers state. Glarner IV admitted that some of this methamphetamine was packaged for purposes of distribution for orders placed on the darknet.

Glarner IV is scheduled to be sentenced on November 4, at which time he will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison.

This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The La Habra Police Department assisted with the investigation as did the Costa Mesa Police Department, the Brea Police Department, the Cypress Police Department, and the Cass County Drug Task Force of North Dakota. This investigation was conducted with the support of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Puneet V. Kakkar and Kathy Yu of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section.