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A US Court has sentenced a drug dealer, James Ettleson, to over 8 years’ imprisonment.
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The defendant, from McHenry County, used Facebook Marketplace for sales of meth in coded language to avoid detection.
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The sentence reflects the increasing crackdown from law enforcement globally on illicit drugs and other negative activities on the dark web.
On Thursday, a report noted that a federal Court sentenced a man to 100 months of imprisonment for the distribution of meth through web-based commerce, including Facebook Marketplace, among other methods.
James Ettleson of McHenry County, Illinois, faced federal charges for distributing over fifty grams of meth between September 2022 and May 2024, according to documents from the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois detailing his conviction.
His sentence of 100 months is equivalent to more than eight years, with an additional two years of supervised release to follow after his prison term is complete. The authorities sought this lengthy jeopardy because of the nature of selling illegal drugs via the internet and how serious that type of crime is to both law enforcement and the public at large.
Methamphetamine is classified as a powerful stimulant and is illegal to sell or distribute without the appropriate grants from the Federal Government. Additionally, law enforcement will continue to prioritize catching and successfully prosecuting anyone who sells or distributes this controlled substance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the general background information as to how meth impacts the overall health and safety of both individuals and communities.
Undercover Operation and Digital Sales Tactics
The investigation that led to Ettleson’s arrest began after local law enforcement received tips about drug deals taking place through Facebook Marketplace and private messages.
Agents learned that Ettleson was using the social media platform to advertise and communicate with potential buyers. Through the year following the undercover operation, law enforcement continued to monitor Ettleson’s activity related to the sale of methamphetamine through intercepted messages, cellular telephone records, and other digital formats supporting the use of the interstate commerce channels in furthering illegal drug trafficking.
There have been many reports on the rise of selling drugs online through social media and/or digital communication, as drug dealers have begun to sell to a broader audience while minimizing their exposure to traditional street crime.
The DOJ has stated that undercover operations are a normal practice in drug enforcement matters.
Illinois’s Northern District prosecutors led the prosecution of this case after a joint investigation involving local and federal law enforcement agencies. These types of joint investigations are commonplace in drug trafficking cases because they often include evidence in several jurisdictions.
Facebook and Online Safety Concerns
Facebook Marketplace is a feature of Facebook, now part of Meta Platforms Inc., used widely to buy and sell goods locally. The tool is designed for legitimate sales; illegal sellers increasingly use it to promote controlled substances and other prohibited items.
Meta supports users and law enforcement agencies when they want to report illegal activity occurring on its platforms by providing directions on how to do so, such as through the use of their Reporting Tools. Although the guidance covers only reporting gun sales, people use the same tools to report marijuana sales or attempts, scams, and other violations of Meta’s policies.
Law enforcement agencies are advising the public that they should be mindful of their interactions in online marketplace situations. In order to avoid detection, many criminals use these types of sites due to the establishment of false user profiles, the ability to delete messages quickly, and in an effort to have no face-to-face interaction with potential victims.
This anonymity is often fueled by vast troves of stolen personal data circulating on underground forums, including over half a billion records from a 2019 Facebook breach that were recently repackaged and posted on a dark web forum, giving criminals the tools to create convincing fake identities and evade detection.
The FBI reported that the frequency of criminals’ usage of social media and instant messaging sites such as Facebook and Instagram has been growing in the commission of illegal acts, including drug sales, selling stolen merchandise, and fraud.
Methamphetamine Impact and Broader Trends
Meth is an extremely addictive stimulant that affects the signatory of the CNS/Central Nervous System. Meth poses significant health risks, including addiction and social problems, and can lead to fatal overdoses.
NIDA reported that the increase in synthetic stimulants (amphetamines and meth) is contributing to the rising number of overdose deaths across the USA.
Ettleson’s case illustrates how drug distribution has evolved to include digital channels due to the growth in the use of technology. Federal Prosecutors and Police are confident that the sentence handed down to Ettleson will serve as a deterrent for others who may believe they can sell illegal drugs via internet-based means.
The Police continue to encourage community members to report suspicious transactions via digital platforms and to remind the public that being online does not provide immunity from prosecution for illegal activities.
