On June 19, a Chelsea resident appeared before federal court in Boston to enter a guilty plea regarding his involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking and money laundering operation that spanned Massachusetts and California.
Steven Beadles, 60, admitted guilt to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as one count of possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. set sentencing for Sept. 24, 2018.
Beadles was among 11 men from Massachusetts and California indicted in 2016 following a two-year investigation into methamphetamine trafficking. According to the indictment, the defendants engaged in a conspiracy beginning in at least 2013 to transport substantial quantities of methamphetamine from San Diego to Massachusetts, where distribution occurred throughout the Greater Boston area. The proceeds generated from these drug sales were subsequently transported and/or transferred back to California and laundered through various methods.
Through his plea agreement, Beadles acknowledged that agents recovered approximately 434 grams of methamphetamine that had been shipped from California to his residence in January 2016, that he was aware the package contained methamphetamine, and that he planned to distribute a portion of the drugs. “fblikebutton_button”
Both charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years with a possible sentence of life in prison, five years to lifetime supervised release, and fines reaching up to $10 million. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence according to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutory factors.