NJ: Man Pleads Guilty to Opioid Distribution and Money Laundering Conspiracy

A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy charges.

According to court documents, from March 2014 to September 2020, Sean Tighe, 48, of Kearny, conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute over nine kilograms of furanyl fentanyl and nine kilograms of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanylsynthetic cathinones (also known as bath salts), including ethylone; and ketamine. In addition, from March 2014 to May 2019, Tighe conspired to launder funds. In furtherance of the conspiracy, from April 2014 to June 2014, Tighe sent five wire payments from the United States to China to purchase controlled substances and/or controlled substance analogues.

Tighe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, including 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogues, synthetic cathinones, and ketamine, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 19. If the court accepts the guilty plea, the government and Tighe will agree to a sentence of approximately 12 to 15 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release for the drug conspiracy count, and a maximum of three years of supervised release for the money laundering conspiracy count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey, and Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark made the announcement.

HSI Newark is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Alexander Hasapidis-Sferra and Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit Chief Stephen Sola of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.  Special Financial Investigations Unit Financial Investigator Kathryn Montemorra provided significant assistance.

Press Release