BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Thomas Bass, 23, of Grand Island, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of marijuana, and money laundering, was sentenced to 7 months imprisonment and 2 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who handled the case, stated that Bass sold marijuana locally, then used the proceeds of the drug sales to buy bitcoins, with which he then bought more bulk quantities of marijuana from dark net vendors for further distribution. He cycled through over $100,000 in bitcoins and between 20 and 40 kilograms of marijuana in this manner. Law enforcement agents intercepted two packages destined for Bass in Buffalo. Each was mailed from California and contained approximately one pound of high-grade marijuana.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kelly, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Acting Inspector in Charge Raymond Moss.
credit:justice.gov