Washington, DC: Fifteen Charged in Superseding Indictment Targeting Meth and GBL Trafficking Ring

Federal prosecutors in Washington, DC have unsealed a 12 count superseding indictment charging 15 men in connection with an alleged transnational drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine and gamma-butyrolactone, known as GBL, along the East Coast, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia said. FOX 5 DC reported the indictment on Wednesday as the newest charges in the case were announced.

The superseding indictment adds four newly charged defendants who prosecutors allege operated as bulk distributors in the region, FOX 5 DC reported. Three defendants identified by prosecutors as Macias, Frasher and Rothberg were each set for initial appearances in the District of Columbia before Judge Zia M. Faruqui on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Chief Judge James E. Boasberg is presiding over the case.

The initial indictment named Artemio Jacobo-Magana, 26, of Santa Ana, California; Aaron James Landry, 39, of Los Angeles; Matthew Thomas Kent, 40, of the District; Colton Keet Huthsing, 30, of the District; Rene Alexander Acosta, 33, of Baltimore; Javier Gomez-Franco, 48, of Baltimore; Joshua Glen Taylor, 47, of the District; Robert David Fitch, 40, of Baltimore; Michael Robert Spitzer, 52, of New York City; Scott Patrick Morgan, also known as Scotty Rox, 44, of New York City; and Kenneth Harold Archer, 46, of Fort Lauderdale. Each was charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine, and a detectable amount of GBL.

According to court documents cited by prosecutors, from at least November 2022 and continuing through the present day, the defendants and their co-conspirators operated a multi-layered drug trafficking network stretching along the Northeast Corridor from New York City to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC. The conspiracy had active expansion efforts underway into Chicago, Florida and Southern California. Prosecutors allege the organization sourced methamphetamine in California and imported GBL from South Korea, distributing both substances to an established customer base while actively recruiting new markets. FOX 5 DC reported that prosecutors allege the network used encrypted messaging apps, coded language, commercial parcel delivery services, stash houses and shell business entities to move the drugs.

Spitzer, Morgan and Gomez-Franco were additionally charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the alleged drug trafficking activity, and prosecutors allege the group laundered drug payments through peer-to-peer payment platforms and commercial accounts disguised as legitimate business income. Kent was charged with three counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine for specific transactions in the District of Columbia. Gregory Wallace is separately charged by complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and GBL, and with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

GBL is an industrial solvent with legitimate commercial uses such as paint and adhesive removal, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. When ingested, the body rapidly converts it into GHB, a potent date-rape drug. Prosecutors allege local distributors sold methamphetamine and GBL together for simultaneous consumption as a party drug combination known on the street as sexchem, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office and FOX 5 DC.

All defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years to life in prison if convicted of the conspiracy charge, prosecutors said. An indictment is a formal accusation. The charges must still be proved in court, and the case continues in federal court in Washington.