Man Pleads Guilty In N.D. Synthetic Drug Deaths

FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- A Texas man accused of distributing chemicals that ultimately resulted in the synthetic drug deaths of two teens in the Grand Forks, N.D., area has pleaded guilty.

Charles Carlton, of Katy, Texas, pleaded guilty Monday to three counts, including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in serious bodily injury and death. He faces life in prison.

Authorities say the chemicals sold by Carlton's company, Motion Resources LLC, were manufactured into hallucinogens and wound up in the hands of 18-year-old Christian Bjerk, of Grand Forks, and 17-year-old Elijah Stai, of Park Rapids, Minn. They died within a week of each other in June 2012.

The plea agreement calls for Carlton to forfeit $385,000 in drug proceeds.

Defense attorney Alexander Reichert declined comment after Monday's hearing.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 27.