Bangor, Maine: 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 Oct. 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 year 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 pled 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
