ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Jack Jett, 41, of Hemlock, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with unlawful possession and importation of Alpha PVP, a schedule I controlled substance. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $1,000,000 fine.
“Some areas around the country are sounding the warning bell about the dangerous effects of Alpha PVP," said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “In the last year alone, our Office has prosecuted nine defendants on charges involving this dangerous and potentially deadly drug. Seven of those nine defendants now stand convicted."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Noto, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendant was arrested following the controlled delivery of a package containing approximately three kilograms of Alpha PVP, a schedule I designer drug. The package was sent to Jett at his residence in Hemlock from China. The complaint states that the defendant admitted to law enforcement officers that he ordered the package from China and he knew that it contained Alpha PVP. The defendant further admitted that he distributed Alpha PVP.
Alpha PVP, more commonly known as bath salts, is a schedule I controlled substance that has been reported to be the cause or a contributing cause of death in suicides and polydrug overdoses. Alpha PVP has also been known to cause paranoia and hallucinations.
U.S. Attorney Hochul further stated “Ordering any legal drug online must be done very carefully and under the strict guidelines of a medical professional. The public should also know that if you order illegal drugs, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Jett made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Johnathan W. Feldman and was released on bail.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge J. Michael Kennedy, the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge, Boston Division, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Craig Hanesworth, the Hornell Police Department, under the direction of Chief TJ Murray, the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction David V. Cole, and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Philip C. Povero.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
