Hellbender Meadery co-owner pleads guilty to K2 conspiracy

A co-owner of the failed Hellbender Meadery in Rogersville pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a $6.7 million scheme to distribute the synthetic cannabinoid known as K2.

Douglas Franklin, 56, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering. His son and co-defendant, Brandon Franklin, 28, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to the same charges Sept. 17. Charges against his daughter, Caitlyn Franklin, 26, of Springfield - the third owner of the failed meadery - were dismissed following a pretrial agreement. Another co-defendant, DeWayne Barnhart, 37, of Joplin, pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing misbranded drugs and was sentenced to probation, according to a news release from the office of Tammy Dickinson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

In his guilty plea, Douglas Franklin admitted he engaged in mail fraud by using FedEx to sell and ship Kryp2nite products that were falsely labeled as incense and not to be consumed. Manufacturing and distributed to retail outlets in Springfield, Joplin and elsewhere through his Springfield business, ThirdEye, the K2 products actually were meant for human consumption to achieve affects similar to that of marijuana.

Between Oct. 29, 2009, and April 30, 2011, Franklin led the conspiracy and he and his son deposited $2.9 million in proceeds into bank accounts. Brandon Franklin deposited an additional $3.8 million in proceeds through Nov. 6, 2012. The Franklins distributed roughly 2,253 kilograms of the substance during that time, according to the release.

Douglas Franklin also admitted he laundered money by concealing the nature of the proceeds.

Franklin’s plea agreement requires him to forfeit to the government real estate in Springfield, Rogersville - where Hellbender Meadery had been planned - Springfield, Ore., and Redding, Calif. He also must forfeit $802,632, the release said.

The father and son also could be subject to 40 years in federal prison and $750,000 fines apiece under federal statutes. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled following the presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

Hellbender Meadery had been targeting a November 2012 launch, but plans were scrapped as the drug charges rolled in, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.[[In-content Ad]]