Synthetic Drug Linked to Teenagers’ Deaths in Two Cases

Two teenage boys’ deaths have been linked to a dangerous new synthetic drug, which supposedly mimics LSD.

In Missouri, the death of 14-year-old Ethan Rickman has been linked to a synthetic drug that he was told mimicked acid, or LSD. After deputies received a call about an unresponsive teenager, Rickman was rushed to an area hospital, where he died. Court documents state the synthetic drug was “not the LSD form of acid,” although allegedly Rickman believed that it was.

Two teenagers face drug charges in Rickman’s death. Krista Meeks, 17, reportedly sold “6 hits” of the synthetic hallucinogen to Rickman, calling it a “research chemical drug” called “acid.” She sold the synthetic drug to settle a debt with 18-year-old Jamell Montgomery, who also faces drug charges in the case.

Meeks admitted, per court documents, that the effects of the synthetic drug were so “harsh and violent” that she wouldn’t ingest it herself.

Montgomery and Meeks both face felony distribution of a controlled synthetic substance. Meeks also faces two counts of marijuana-related misdemeanor.

Platte County, Missouri law enforcement officials stated that synthetic drugs like the acid Rickman took are becoming more available in schools because they are cheaper than their organic counterparts. However, the side effects of synthetic drugs are much more dangerous and deadly.

The second death, of Boca  Raton, FL teenager Zachary Taylor Denaro, has been officially linked to a synthetic drug also similar to LSD, called 25i-nBOME. Federal agents have been investigating the 15-year-old’s death since June of this year.

Federal agents from the DEA, working with Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force say they finally uncovered the primary source of synthetic drugs in the area. The synthetic drug ring was led by Lisa Russo, 56, of Lake Worth.

Allegedly, Russo bought the synthetic drug online and distributed it through a network in Palm Beach. The synthetic hallucinogen is reportedly easy to find in the Florida county, but reports suggest that many dealers stopped dealing to new clients when they learned that the DEA was investigating Denaro’s death.

“It is a really low cost drug,” said Dr. Carlos Satueosky of the Village Harbor Detox Center in North Miami. “It is a really hard to detect molecule, so people replace other drugs like marijuana, which we can test for.”

Synthetic Drugs Becoming More and More Available

The DEA recently made three types of synthetic marijuana specifically illegal so that they could investigate how the drug is distributed and made. Many synthetic drugs are difficult to test for – in part because the chemical structure of the drugs can be easily changed, and because the drugs are very new and drug tests do not look for those specific molecules in the body. However, the larger problem is their easy availability, and their legal status which makes them accessible to underage users.

According to Drug Recognition Experts Bob Welsh and Tracy Durbin, there are hundreds of new synthetic drugs being made every day. Although the DEA recently busted BitCoin-only deep web site the Silk Road, other websites also sell synthetic drugs, and the postal service does not have a foolproof way to detect the chemicals yet. Welsh and Durbin say that many of the drugs are made in unregulated labs in China and India, then are shipping through internet orders to the US.

The Strom Law Firm Can Defend Against Charges Involving Synthetic Drugs

If you or a loved one have been found with a synthetic drug, such as synthetic marijuana, K2, or spice, you could face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much of the drug was on your person, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let charges for synthetic drugs hurt your reputation or your future aspirations. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800