A Salem man led a highly lucrative drug trafficking operation, responsible for distributing a variety of illegal substances. This operation involved marketing and selling butane hash oil, THC-infused candy and cereals, and psilocybin mushrooms through online platforms. The drugs were then shipped to customers both within the United States and overseas.
Authorities conducted surveillance using pole cameras and subsequently obtained search warrants to investigate six properties, including a warehouse and a home owned by Jered Jeremiah Hayward, a 45-year-old individual, as stated in a federal affidavit.
On Wednesday, Hayward appeared in federal court for the first time. He chose to waive indictment and pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. The charges include possession with intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering. These illegal activities took place from January 2020 to September 17, 2024.
Hayward has pleaded guilty to federal drug crimes, including fentanyl distribution conspiracy, for the third time.
During his sentencing in late May, the government will push for a 14-year prison term, while his defense attorney will advocate for a 10-year sentence, which is the mandatory minimum for a conviction related to a marijuana conspiracy.
“I willingly took on this role, it wasn’t imposed on me,” Hayward emphasized, gesturing towards the two prosecutors seated in front of him during his appearance before U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio in Portland.
In 2021, investigators from Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service initiated an inquiry. According to federal asset forfeiture investigator James Stratton’s affidavit, a man who was arrested for drug selling pointed out Hayward’s encrypted Telegram channel as the supplier of his marijuana and marijuana products. Upon reviewing the content on the Telegram channel, photos and videos provided a glimpse into the warehouse where the drug operation took place.
According to the latest report from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Oregon continues to be a significant supplier of illegal high-potency marijuana and extract products. The report reveals that an average of 125 different organizations are investigated annually in Oregon for their involvement in this illicit activity.
The report highlights that, despite state regulations, marijuana products manufactured in Oregon are consistently being confiscated across the country.
According to the affidavit, Hayward collaborated with an alleged accomplice named Antonio Irving Benjamin. Additionally, he hired up to 10 individuals to manufacture the different products for sale.
Benjamin, who is 53 years old, has not faced any charges in the Oregon conspiracy. However, according to civil forfeiture papers, he is identified as the other primary operator involved in the scheme. It remains unclear whether Benjamin has been arrested in another location or if there is a warrant out for his arrest.
According to the affidavit, the items available for purchase consisted of THC candy and cereal treats. These products were packaged in colorful wrappers that bore the names of well-known brands like Whoppers, Reese’s, and Rice Krispies.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Cardani, Hayward utilized social media platform Telegram to promote and receive orders for the products. The customers often made payments through cash apps, and the majority of the drugs were delivered to customers nationwide through the U.S. mail. However, local customers who remained loyal to Hayward also had the option of picking up their orders in person. While some of the products were sold internationally, the specific locations were not disclosed by the prosecutors.
Between January 2022 and July 2023, investigators have recorded over 2,578 Cash App payments to the drug trafficking operation, amounting to a staggering $2.4 million, as stated by Cardani.
According to the affidavit, federal agents closely monitored the transportation of over 350 parcels from the primary production warehouse in Salem, located at 1910 Vista Avenue S.E., to various destinations throughout the United States.
According to the affidavit, investigators tracked a total of 1,126 packages that were sent by customers to the Salem operators via the U.S. Postal Service. These packages were believed to contain cash payments.
On September 17, federal agents executed search warrants at six different locations. These included the main warehouse as well as the residence of Hayward and his wife, who has not faced any charges so far.
Authorities confiscated a significant amount of illegal substances during the operation, including 691 kilograms of raw marijuana bud, 3,357 kilograms of THC vapes and edibles, 232 kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms and edibles, and 558 kilograms of butane hash oil.
During the searches, investigators confiscated various assets, which included over $1 million in cash, as well as gold and silver bars and coins valued at approximately $400,000. Additionally, multiple vehicles, boats, and Rolex watches were also seized, as revealed by Cardani.
They also obtained warrants to seize cryptocurrency that was purchased using a portion of the proceeds from drug trafficking. In addition, they were able to seize an extra $640,000.
According to Cardani, Hayward operated three businesses to carry out and hide the illicit operation. None of the businesses or individuals involved possessed proper Oregon licenses for the production or sale of marijuana or its associated products.
Always Native and Bottles and Tins were two of the businesses that claimed to be online retailers specializing in the sale of skincare products. Additionally, A2Z Transport LLC was presented as a general freight carrier, according to a federal affidavit.
The mailing address for Bottles and Tins business, listed under Always Native, was the home of the Haywards. Domenica Hayward, the wife of Hayward, was designated as the primary representative. On the other hand, A2Z Transport’s main address was Benjamin’s home in Salem. Benjamin’s wife was identified as the manager for the business, as stated in the affidavit.
According to the affidavit, the Haywards’ home office contained documents related to imports for Bottles and Tins. These documents revealed the purchase of 200,000 lip tubes, 10,000 plastic trays, 6,000 silicone molds, and 23,040 serum bottles. These items are commonly used in the production, packaging, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products.
The affidavit revealed that during a U.S. Border Patrol seizure, 2,200 packaging boxes were discovered. These boxes were intended to store a variety of psilocybin-laced chocolates, marijuana vapes, and THC-infused candies and cereal. The packaging seized by the Border Patrol perfectly matched the colorful PolkaDot packaging found in the Salem warehouse that was under investigation.
In the affidavit, it was revealed that investigators discovered a pressure steam sterilizer in the detached garage of Hayward. This sterilizer is commonly used in the marijuana industry. Furthermore, they also found bags filled with mushrooms and marijuana, along with stacks of cash stored in vacuum-sealed bags hidden within a dirt-covered bag.
Agents discovered several black trash bags filled with mushrooms, as well as a significant amount of cash, silver coins, and gold pieces, inside the trunk of a vibrant red Chevy Chevelle parked in the detached garage of the Haywards’ residence, according to the affidavit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kemp L. Strickland assured the judge that the government does not view Hayward as a threat or a flight risk, even though the convictions usually result in the defendant being held in custody until sentencing.
According to Strickland, he is a native Oregonian, born in Medford. He has a wife, two grown stepchildren, and a young son. In 2023, he experienced a stroke that resulted in partial paralysis on the right side of his body.
The judge approved Hayward’s admission of guilt.
Hayward was permitted by Baggio to stay out of custody under certain conditions. These conditions included not opening any new financial accounts or changing his address without the prior approval of a federal officer.
Hayward was also notified by prosecutors that his house and the main warehouse were subject to civil forfeiture claims filed by the government. As a result, federal investigators were granted access to inventory the properties.
In August 2022, Hayward received a sentence of time served and was placed under two years of supervision. This came after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. Back in 2017, he was arrested when the Drug Enforcement Administration intercepted two packages from China. These packages, which were addressed to his Tigard business, were found to contain fentanyl.
Hayward pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana in 2003, which led to his imprisonment for two and a half years.
In 2017, Benjamin received a six-year and five-month federal prison sentence, along with five years of supervised release, following his conviction for possessing heroin and furanyl fentanyl with the intention to distribute. However, due to his chronic health conditions and heightened vulnerability to COVID-19, he was granted compassionate release from prison in December 2020 by a judge.
In January 2023, the court decided to end Benjamin’s five years of supervised release earlier than expected. Benjamin’s defense lawyer successfully argued that he had faithfully followed all the conditions of his release. The lawyer presented evidence that Benjamin was employed as a commercial truck driver for a Salem business called Always Native. In a letter submitted to the judge and signed by Domenica Tabares (now Domenica Hayward), Benjamin was described as an outstanding employee who takes great pride in his work.