WASHINGTON COUNTY (WITI) -- The Washington County Sheriff's Department, and the DEA are being credited for taking down a large "molly" drug ring -- and 12 individuals have been federally indicted.



United States Attorney James Santelle announced on Monday, July 21st 12 defendants have been indicted in federal court with conspiracy to import and distribute methylone -- a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Methylone is also known as MDMA, or "molly."



The majority of those indicted are from Beloit.



Those indicted are as follows:









According to information released in court, in 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation into a poly-drug group.



One of the main drugs the group trafficked in was Methylone. Methylone is also known by the street names “Molly” or “M-1,” and is part of a family of synthetic, designer drugs commonly known as “bath salts.” Methylone is a Schedule I controlled substance.







The indictment alleges that from October 2011 through July 1, 2014, the defendants listed in the table above knowingly and intentionally conspired to import, distribute and possess with intent to distribute Methylone.



If convicted each defendant faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and a minimum of three years supervised release.







In addition, Kirk R.C. Mickelson and Bryan F. Eason (B.F. Eason) were charged with Use and Brandishing of Firearms and Ammunition in furtherance of a Drug Conspiracy. If convicted they will face an additional seven years to life imprisonment. B.F. Eason was also charged with Intimidation of a Witness. If convicted B.F. Eason will face an additional 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and a minimum of five years supervised release.







In a separate but related indictment, a thirteenth defendant identified as Robert Bero (age: 21) formerly of West Bend was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methylone and Distribution of Methylone, a Schedule I Controlled Substance. If convicted he faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and a minimum of three years supervised release on each count.







The defendants were charged based on a lengthy joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Washington County Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force.



Also assisting in the investigation were the Rock County Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigations, and the Maui Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karine Moreno-Taxman.







“This important law enforcement action—identifying, apprehending, and bringing to justice a group of people whose drug dealing and related criminal conduct has compromised the safety and security of communities in Washington County, throughout the Eastern District of Wisconsin, in Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, and elsewhere—reflects the continuing, targeted, and effective work that we pursue on behalf of all of the people of our nation. The result of that focused investigative and prosecution strategy is that thirteen defendants have been charged with engaging in a sophisticated conspiracy to distribute Methylone and to profit from the subsequent sale of it. The fact that virtually all of them are now in custody, facing significant prison terms and likely to lose the assets that they have acquired, is rightly viewed as the appropriate and anticipated response to this kind of destructive behavior. It is also representative of the sort of success that we have in combating the illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, and distribution of illegal drugs of all kinds," Santelle said.



Santelle specifically commended the professional work of all of the agencies participating in the investigation of the case and, in particular, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Washington County Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force.







Jack Riley, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, which includes Wisconsin, praised the dedication and teamwork of the agents, officers and prosecutors involved in this investigation.



"The indictments of these 12 individuals, should serve as a notice to criminal networks that allegedly traffic in narcotics that the Drug Enforcement Administration and its law enforcement partners stand shoulder to shoulder in our commitment and we will use every legal avenue available to hold the leaders of those organizations accountable," Riley said.







Waukesha County Sheriff Dale Schmidt issued the following statement: "Although not front and center in the news, these types of synthetic drugs are very dangerous to the user. Multi-State synthetic drug conspiracy cases require a high level of knowledge and skill to investigate. The Washington County MJDG Detectives have these skills, and I am pleased they were able to work with the DEA and US Attorney to end this group's distribution of the drug in the Washington County area."