Hobby Chemist Who Made Lethal Synthetic Drugs Sentenced

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota man who admitted to cooking up synthetic drugs that led to the overdose deaths of two teens has been sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison.

Twenty-two-year-old Andrew Spofford, of Grand Forks, is the 12th person sentenced in the wide-ranging conspiracy. His sentence is the longest by five years.

Spofford pleaded guilty in October to five counts, including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in serious bodily injury and death.

The hallucinogens eventually wound up in the hands of 18-year-old Christian Bjerk, of Grand Forks, and 17-year-old Elijah Stai, of Park Rapids, Minn., who died within two weeks of each other in June 2012.

Authorities say Spofford ordered the chemicals online from Charles Carlton of Texas, who is scheduled for a change of plea hearing March 10.