BETTENDORF, Iowa-A Bettendorf man will be arraigned in federal court in Chicago next week, accused of making fake pot laced with chemicals from China that lead to a teen's death.
Federal prosecutors allege that Seydel ran a company called "Spaced Out Herbz", which illegally sold drugs that were not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
They say he bought the chemicals to produce synthetic marijuana from China, and received the packages at P.O. boxes in Pleasant Valley, Moline, and Erie. They say he produced the drugs at some of his rental properties in Bettendorf.
According to federal court documents, Seydel supplied and shipped the packaged product via Fed Ex to a Cigar Shop in Aurora.
In 2011, a 19-year -old name Max Dobner bought about $20 worth of the synthetic marijuana from the shop at a mall. He freaked out and died after driving 100 miles per hour into a house.
Federal authorities say Dobner suffered an adverse reaction to the chemicals in the synthetic drug, when he crashed the car.
Dobner's death helped lead to a state law in 2012 that makes it a felony to sell fake pot.
The shop's owner was indicted in 2015.
Seydel is charged with 9 felony counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and money laundering.
He is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in Chicago on June 2nd.
He also allegedly sold products falsely labelled as "potpourri" and "herbal incense" over the Internet.