EUGENE, Ore. - Walter Thomas Swartz, 29, of Eugene, Oregon, was sentenced On April 23, 2013, to 48 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methylenedioxymethamphetamine, more commonly known as ecstasy or MDMA, and using the mail to distribute proceeds of that unlawful activity.
In April 2012, investigators served a search warrant at Swartz’ home in Eugene and seized two and half pounds of ecstasy powder, 24 ecstasy pills, three pounds of dry psilocybin mushrooms, 27 grams of cocaine, four and half pounds of marijuana, a shotgun, a pistol and a mailed package containing $16,000 in cash.
The return address on the package containing the $16,000 led investigators to a man in Colorado who Swartz met ten years earlier while both attended college in Oregon. The man admitted mailing the $16,000 and mailing up to $10,000 in cash on at least five previous occasions, all at Swartz’ direction. The cash involved in the transactions was forfeited. Swartz is a 2007 graduate of the University of Oregon, with a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science and Environmental Geography.
Chief United States District Judge Ann Aiken presided over the case and during sentencing reprimanded defendant Swartz for creating more casualties for society by distributing illegal drugs. She also ordered Swartz to perform 300 hours of community service after completion of his four year prison sentence.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration worked with state and local police on the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney William “Bud" Fitzgerald prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
