Guilty, says man in 'bath salts' case

A Heber Springs man pleaded guilty Friday to a federal conspiracy charge related to the distribution of methylone, a synthetic drug commonly known as "bath salts."

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Christopher Hogan, 47, faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. He was indicted in July 2012 on charges of conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

The Cleburne County sheriff's office searched Hogan's home in 2011 and found evidence of synthetic drug manufacturing. Additionally, federal authorities intercepted two packages of synthetic drugs mailed to Hogan from China. Hogan ordered the drugs over the Internet, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Christopher Thyer, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, said in a news release that Hogan was part of a "drug distribution ring that was threatening the lives of teenagers and young adults in and around Heber Springs." Several of Hogan's suppliers also were charged in the case and pleaded guilty, Thyer said.

Chemically different from actual bath salts but similar in appearance, methylone mimics the effects of drugs such as methamphetamine and Ecstasy but is much more potent.

Metro on 08/24/2014

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