A Las Vegas couple's stint of selling narcotics online has come to a screeching halt as they're handed federal prison sentences following a high-profile case. Rushan Lavar Reed, 47, and Celeste Nicole Reed, 28, were sentenced in a Washington, D.C., courtroom to 51 months and 37 months in prison, respectively. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that the couple ran a prolific darknet drug operation that spanned over six years, distributing controlled substances such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine across several online marketplaces, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The Reeds, known by their online monikers "Double R" and "Calileone," operated under the guise "MrsFeelGood" and trafficked their illicit goods on darknet markets like Monopoly and AlphaBay. The encrypted digital underworld aided them in masking identities, concealing computer locations, and conducting sales under the radar. According to the DOJ, authorities were able to cut through their cloak of anonymity and confiscate drugs, cash, and an AR-15 firearm during an October 11, 2023 raid on their home.
Drugs weren't the only commodity the Reeds dealt with; they also distributed MDMA, codeine, Vyvanse, Dilaudid, and marijuana. Their operation was complex and well-hedged against law enforcement, using cryptocurrency to launder their proceeds and evade potential traces back to their criminal activities. U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin indicated in a statement the couple's lengthy involvement in drug trafficking and the sophistication of their operation.
In addition to prison time, U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols laid down a three-year supervised release period for the offenders after their incarceration. The case was a collaborative probe involving the FBI Washington Field Office, the FBI Las Vegas Field Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Washington and Phoenix Divisions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Roman led the prosecution with backing from other law enforcement officials.
