Davenport, Iowa Man To Serve More Than 11 Years In Prison For Conspiring To Import Synthetic Ecstasy

Rock Island, Ill. – A Davenport, Iowa man, Christopher B. Engelbrecht, 27, was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison yesterday for conspiracy to import a synthetic form of ecstasy, 4-MEC, also known as ‘shrimp.’ Engelbrecht was ordered to serve 135 months (11 years, 3 months) in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Engelbrecht has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest in October 2012.

On Sept. 16, 2013, Engelbrecht entered open pleas of guilty to the three charges alleged in the indictment returned in October 2012 by the grand jury:  from August 2011 to October 12, 2012, conspiracy to import into the U.S. 4-MEC, a synthetic drug with properties and effects on users similar to ecstasy or MDMA; conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 4-MEC; and on Sept. 7, 2012, attempt to import into the U.S. 4-MEC.

The charges resulted from an investigation by the Quad City Metropolitan Enforcement Group; the Moline Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney John K. Mehochko.