Killeen Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Selling Synthetic Marijuana

The owner of the Cove Smoke Shack in Killeen, TX, faces up to 20 years in federal prison after admitting to selling synthetic marijuana announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Division, and Killeen Police Chief Dennis Baldwin.

Appearing before United States District Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr. this afternoon in Waco, 42-year-old Richard Young Bruce pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  Subsequent to multiple undercover purchases of synthetic marijuana, authorities executed a federal search warrant at the business location on November 3, 2014.  During the search warrant, authorities seized over 150 packets of pre-packaged synthetic cannabinoids along with approximately $20,000 cash representing the proceeds of the illegal distribution of controlled substances.

Bruce, who remains on bond, is scheduled for sentencing on July 1, 2015.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Killeen Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Blanton.