U.S. District Court Judge Walter Rice read from a statement of facts that alleged that in April 2016, Alig signed for three vacuum-packed DVDs that originally contained hundreds of grams of ecstasy. The actual drugs were tested and identified at the Miami Valley Crime Lab.
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Alig, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts — one for trying to import methylenedioxymethamphetamine (known as MDMA or ecstasy) and one for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Defense attorney Jon Paul Rion calculated Alig’s non-binding, advisory sentencing guideline at 46 to 57 months — or 3 years, 10 months to 4 years, 9 months. The statutory range is for each charge is from zero to 20 years in prison and up to a $1 million fine.
The plea does not include any agreed-upon sentence. Alig’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 6. Alig’s bond conditions will continue.
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Rice said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Chicago alerted agents in Cincinnati that a K-9 had alerted to drugs. HSI replaced the MDMA/Ecstasy with fakes and arranged for them to be delivered to Alig’s residence on Falcon Ridge Court.
Two DVDs contained 510 purple tablets that field-tested positive for ecstasy. The third DVD contained a brownish-crystal like substance that field tested positive for ecstasy.
A search of Alig’s home also uncovered more than 50 grams of meth, a digital scale, small bags and other drug paraphernalia, according to a complaint written by an HSI special agent.
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