United States Drug Enforcement Administration

HARTFORD, Conn. - John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, and Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Aaron Mioduszewski, 33, of Voluntown, was arrested today on a six-count indictment charging him with possessing and distributing controlled substance analogues over the Internet, and possessing LSD.

According to court documents and statements made in court, it is alleged that between June 2011 and July 2012, Mioduszewski distributed controlled substance analogues through websites he operated, including www.eastcoastchems.com and www.simfluxresources.com.  It is further alleged that when law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Mioduszewski's home in July 2012, they recovered large quantities of various controlled substance analogues, as well as LSD.

Controlled substance analogues are synthetic drugs that are illegal if intended for human consumption.  Common names for various controlled substance analogues are "designer drugs," "bath salts," "spice," and "herbal incense."  The synthetic drugs mimic the dangerous effects of cocaine, amphetamines and other substances that are Schedule I or II controlled substances under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

The indictment charges Mioduszewski with four counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substance analogues, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute lysergic acid ("LSD").

A federal grand jury in Hartford returned the indictment on November 5, 2013, and Mioduszewski was arrested this morning at his residence.  He appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez and is detained pending a hearing that is scheduled for Friday, November 15, at 11:30 a.m.

If convicted, Mioduszewski faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million on each count.

Acting U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration's Tactical Diversion Squad in Worcester, Mass.