A D.C. man allegedly ran a drug delivery website that delivered hallucinogens and other narcotics to customers within 1,000 feet of The Catholic University of America.
Perry Young was charged in a federal indictment unsealed Thursday, Sept. 10, with conspiracy to distribute dimethyltryptamine (DMT), distribution of DMT and MDMA within 1,000 feet of a private college, and distribution and possession with intent to distribute MDMA, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia announced. MDMA is commonly known as ecstasy.
Young owned and operated a website called "Forest Floor DC," where customers could order Schedule I controlled substances including marijuana, mushrooms and DMT, according to the indictment. Once an order was placed, Young or an associate hand-delivered the drugs.
Undercover buys led to charges
Law enforcement made several controlled purchases through the site during an undercover operation. On at least one occasion, Young personally sold MDMA to an undercover officer. Those sales allegedly took place within 1,000 feet of Catholic University, triggering enhanced federal charges under the drug-free zone statute.
The drugs were hand-delivered.
Young appeared Sept. 10 before U.S. District Court Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya.
Agents seized cash, weapons and 122 pounds of drugs
Agents executed search warrants the same day at Young's residence and a storage unit. They recovered roughly 74 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, 30 pounds of THC, 18 pounds of marijuana and a large quantity of packaging material and drug paraphernalia.
Investigators also seized approximately $250,000 in cash and $200,000 in jewelry. A Glock 43 handgun fitted with a drum-style magazine, a loaded Glock 43 magazine and assorted ammunition were found at the locations.
The indictment includes forfeiture allegations seeking the surrender of those proceeds.
Multi-agency investigation
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force led the investigation. Homeland Security Investigations, Metro Transit Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service assisted.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said her office will take decisive action against drug trafficking operations that threaten community safety, including those conducted near Catholic University.
An indictment is a formal charge. Young is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. No defense attorney has been publicly identified. No next court date has been announced.
