Bath Salts Trial Reset For Feb.

HARRISONBURG — The federal trial of three men accused of operating a bath salts distribution ring out of an adult store in Harrisonburg was postponed last week, according to court records.

 

Pamela’s Secrets owner Augustus George Julias II, 48, and two of his employees, Matthew L. Comer, 32, of Weyers Cave, and Jeremy B. King, 48, of Broadway, are each charged with one felony count of conspiracy to distribute alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone.

 

The substance is a synthetic drug used to manufacture bath salts — which for some users produces an amphetamine-like high similar to cocaine or speed.

 

The three were scheduled to go to trial in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg on Monday. But, on Nov. 28, Judge Michael Urbanski postponed the four-day trial until Feb. 4 at the defendants’ request.

 

The three, initially facing state criminal charges, were arrested on federal charges Oct. 1. Comer was ordered held without bond, while Julias and King were released from jail on bond.

 

Comer, who faces probation violations for drug charges in state court, hasn’t requested a bond hearing.

 

The charges against the three men stem from raids by the RUSH Drug Task Force at Pamela’s Secrets, 3051 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, on April 30 and again May 26.

 

If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison.

 

Also, according to court records, Julias’ defense attorney, Aaron Cook, withdrew from the case because of a conflict of interest involving a recently added witness. Julias was assigned a public defender.

 

Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or pdelea@dnronline.com