#Chicago Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Dark Web Drug Trafficking

Dark web vendor sentenced after operating two illicit online storefronts.

#The Case Overview

Tommy Spaulding, a 42-year-old Chicago resident, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for conspiracy and drug trafficking offenses on the dark web. The sentencing was announced on Monday by Andrew Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. Spaulding pleaded guilty to the charges in July 2025, and U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang handed down the sentence on Friday, May 29.

#The Dark Web Operation

Spaulding managed two dark web vendor stores with distinct operations:

• AVALANCHE — sold heroin, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and MDMA
• ETHER_MART — specialized in heroin distribution

Key Detail: Both stores used distinctive packaging to establish separate brand identities on the dark web.

#Financial Management & Distribution

Spaulding's responsibilities included:

• Managing vendor store finances
• Distributing money to purchase drugs
• Operating and overseeing both stores

Between 2018 and 2019, Spaulding was responsible for distributing:

• More than 7 kilograms of heroin
• More than 1 kilogram of cocaine

#Prosecution Arguments

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Kelly argued during sentencing that the operation was deliberately structured to maximize profits:

"The organization and structure of the vendor stores maximized the quantity of narcotics the defendants could distribute, and the stores were very successful. All it took was a few clicks, and defendants counted on the simplicity, ease, and temptation of the online market to maximize their illicit sales and drug profits."

#Co-Defendants & Related Sentences

Lauren Lucansky procured the drugs for the vendor stores, processed customer orders, and mailed narcotics to customers before pleading guilty and receiving her sentence.

Michael Bentley operated a dark web store called ALLGOLDEVERYTHING and was sentenced accordingly.

Richard Martinez and Nathanel Butterfield both pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges and are awaiting sentencing.

#Key Points

• Operation spanned 2018–2019
• Multiple vendor stores coordinated
• Five individuals charged total
• Two defendants still awaiting sentencing