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Date: 02-14-2019
Case Style:
United States of America v. Christopher Bantli
Case Number: 1:16-cr-00157-ABJ
Judge: Berman Jackson
Court: United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Plaintiff's Attorney: Anthony Aminoff and Kaitlin Sahni
Defendant's Attorney:
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Description:
Washington, DC - Dark Web Trafficker Convicted of Drug Importation Conspiracy
Christopher Bantli pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a conspiracy to import fentanyl into the United States.
Bantli, 39, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson for the District of Columbia. Bantli had been extradited to the United States from Canada following his indictment in the District of Columbia. According to court records, beginning in or around Nov. 2015 and continuing through Sept. 8, 2016, Bantli advertised, distributed, and imported controlled substances, including powerful fentanyl analogues and synthetic opiates, through the encrypted website AlphaBay. Bantli accepted virtual currency such as Bitcoin as payment for the illegal substances, and used Canadian and U.S. mail to distribute the illicit substances to consumers. To assist with his distribution enterprise, Bantli used his apartment in Calgary, Canada, as a drug laboratory and de facto fulfillment center for the orders placed on his AlphaBay profile. Bantli’s apartment contained a pill press, packaging, cutting agents, as well as the controlled substances themselves.
The case was investigated by the DEA, in cooperation with Canadian law enforcement authorities. The U.S. Marshals Service provided critical assistance in Bantli’s extradition. The U.S. Department of Justice thanks the Government of Canada for its assistance in this case, in particular the Calgary Police Service Cybercrime Support Team. This case is also the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state, and local enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations and enterprises.
Charges:
21:952(a) and (b), 813, 960(b)(1)(F), and 963, and 18:2; Conspiracy to Import 100 Grams or More of a Controlled Substance and a Controlled Substance Analogue Intended for Human Consumption.
(1)
21:952(a), 960(b)(3), and 18:2; CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES - IMPORT; Importation of Acetyl Fentanyl.
(2-3)
21:952(a), 960(b)(1)(F), 813 and 18:2; CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES - IMPORT; Importation of Controlled Substance and Controlled Substance Analogue.
(4-5)
21:952(b), 960(b)(6)and 18:2; CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES - IMPORT; Importation of a Non-Narcotic Controlled Substance.
(6)
21:952(a), 960(b)(1)(F), 813 and 18:2; CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES - IMPORT; Importation of a Controlled Substance Analogue.
(7)
Outcome: 02/13/2019 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Amy Berman Jackson: Plea Agreement Hearing as to CHRISTOPHER BANTLI held on 2/13/2019. Plea of Guilty entered by CHRISTOPHER BANTLI as to Count 1. REFERRAL TO PROBATION OFFICE for Presentence Investigation. Sentencing set for 5/29/2019 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 3 before Judge Amy Berman Jackson. Sentencing Memoranda from the parties are due by 5/20/2019. Bond Status of Defendant: Defendant Committed/Commitment Issued; Court Reporter: Janice Dickman; Defense Attorney: Edward B. MacMahon, Jr., and Joshua L. Dratel; US Attorney: Anthony Thomas Aminoff and Kaitlin Julia Sahni. (jth) (Entered: 02/13/2019)
02/13/2019 10 WAIVER of Right to Trial by Jury as to CHRISTOPHER BANTLI. Approved by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on 2/13/2019. (jth) (Entered: 02/13/2019)
02/13/2019 11 PLEA AGREEMENT as to CHRISTOPHER BANTLI. (jth) (Entered: 02/13/2019)
02/13/2019 12 JOINT STATEMENT OF STIPULATED FACTS by USA as to CHRISTOPHER BANTLI. (jth) (Entered: 02/13/2019)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: