Synthetic Drug Supplier Sentenced

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA -- A Baltimore man, who pleaded guilty to supplying synthetic drugs to drug dealers in Central Virginia, was sentenced this afternoon in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Harrisonburg to related drug charges.

Carlo Ernesto D’Addario, 43, of Baltimore, Maryland, previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute a controlled substance analogue. Today in District Court, D’Addario was sentenced to one-year in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release with the first six months being served as home detention.

“By bringing synthetic drugs into our communities, Mr. D’Addario endangered the health and safety of Virginians,” United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said today. “These substances are volatile and dangerous, as reflected in a recent surge in emergency room visits and violent outbursts by users. Cases like this one demonstrate our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to profit on the sale of these dangerous illegal drugs. We will also continue to provide information about the dangers of these synthetic drugs and warn users and others about the potential for unanticipated health effects that often result from the use of these substances.”

D’Addario previously admitted to supplying synthetic drugs, also known as bath salts, to drug dealers in and around Augusta County. He has admitted that he transported the synthetic drugs from the Baltimore to Augusta County where he then sold the drugs to Holly Sprouse, a resident of Augusta County. Sprouse has previously pled guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute a controlled substance analogue.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Ronald Huber is prosecuting the case for the United States.