Merced couple pleads guilty for conducting dark web drug sales, say feds

A Merced couple have pleaded guilty to committing a scheme where they sold cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine and marijuana through several accounts on a dark-web marketplace, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Jabari Monson, 32, and his partner Saudia Monson, 39, were arrested Jan. 17 by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

From July 2018 through January this year, the Monsons operated the vendor accounts “Best Buy Meds,” “Trap Mart” and “House of Dank,” on the dark-web marketplace Dream Market, according to a news release.

Jabari Monson pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances and faces between five and 40 years in prison with a $5 million fine.

Saudia Monson pleaded guilty to violating the Travel Act by using mail and the internet to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of five years in prison with a $250,000 fine.

The couple agreed to forfeit cryptocurrency proceeds of the drug scheme, including Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

The couple is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Nov. 19.

This story was originally published August 6, 2019 at 4:04 PM with the headline "Merced couple pleads guilty for conducting dark web drug sales, say feds."