Three Final Defendants Sentenced in Ecstasy Distribution Ring

The final three defendants in an ecstasy distribution ring were sentenced today in federal court for possessing the semisynthetic psychedelic drug MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.

On Aug. 11 in St. Paul, United States District Court Judge Donovan Frank sentenced Vong Voraveth, 29, Minnetonka, to 102 months in prison and three years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute MDMA/ecstasy. He was indicted on Nov. 8, 2007.

Judge Frank also sentenced Athit Syhaphom, 25, Richfield, to five years of probation on one count of aiding and abetting the distribution of MDMA/ecstasy, and Pradith Syhaphom, 28, Burnsville, to 45 months in prison and three years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy. They were also indicted on Nov. 8.

Earlier this year, Judge Frank sentenced three co-defendants for their roles in the distribution operation. Soukseum Inthickack, 31, Brooklyn Park, was sentenced on June 18 to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release on one count of possession with intent to distribute MDMA/ecstasy. Minh Tran, 37, Eagan, was sentenced on June 24 to 28 months in prison and three years of supervised release on one count of aiding and abetting the distribution of MDMA/ecstasy. Xiro Naovalath, 22, Minneapolis, was sentenced on June 24 to five years of probation on one count of withholding information on a crime.

According to their respective plea agreements, from Jan. 1, 2007, through Nov. 8, 2007, Voraveth conspired with others to distribute approximately 50,000 tablets (12,500 grams) of ecstasy. Athit Syhaphom admitted that on Oct. 11, 2007, she aided and abetted Voraveth by possessing with intent to distribute approximately 5,000 tablets (1,250 grams) of ecstasy.

Pradith Syhaphom admitted he was responsible for more than 50,000 tablets of ecstasy. He also delivered ecstasy and possessed nearly 3,000 tablets when he was arrested in his vehicle.

Both Inthickack and Tran admitted that on Sept. 27, 2007, they aided and abetted Voraveth by possessing with intent to distribute approximately 5,000 tablets of ecstasy.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Paul Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian S. Wilton.

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