United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BANGOR, Maine - John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jessica Bryden, 22, of Greenbush, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly referred to as "bath salts" or "monkey dust."

According to court records, the members of the conspiracy illegally distributed MDPV in Penobscot County and elsewhere between April and December 2011. Prior to October 21, 2011, MDPV was classified as a controlled substance analogue. On that date, it was reclassified as a Schedule I controlled substance. The defendant packaged and distributed MDPV to other members of the conspiracy who were selling the drug in the Bangor area. She also collected payments for the drug from other members of the conspiracy.

The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

Bryden is one of four defendants charged as part of the conspiracy. Co-defendants Matthew Tardiff, 27, of Old Town, Maine, and Adam Hathorn, 36, and Tina Keaton, a/k/a "Fumble" 32, both of Bangor, previously pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and await sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.