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Lafayette lawyer faces sentencing for synthethic pot

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Lafayette attorney Daniel James Stanford has been convicted of conspiring to distribute synthetic drugs, conspiring to introduce misbranded drugs into interstate commerce and money laundering charges.
Sanford was on trial for his alleged role in running a string of Curious Goods stores, which prosecutors have said sold illegal synthetic marijuana branded as Mr. Miyagi.
The 56-year-old Stanford was convicted Friday in U.S. District Court.
Stanford faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million for his role in the drug conspiracy. For the charges relating to the conspiracy to misbrand, he faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The money laundering conspiracy and each count of money laundering carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
A sentencing date for Stanford has not been set.
Stanford's co-conspirators are set to be sentenced on Sept. 19.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Prosecutors allege Stanford profited from a criminal enterprise that illegally sold synthetic marijuana branded as potpourri. The product was sold in six Curious Goods stores in Acadiana.
The Curious Goods stores, defined as smoke shops, or head shops that also sell rolling paper and pipes, continue to operate. They no longer sell the Mr. Miyagi brand of synthetic marijuana.
Stanford was indicted with eight others in 2012 in a multistate federal investigation. The Curious Goods business itself also was named as a defendant.

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