A longtime aide for Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) (pictured above) told prosecutors he planned to exchange drugs for sex, Washington City Paper reported on Friday.
Fred W. Pagan was charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it after local and federal officials found 181.5 grams of the drug during a raid on his home on Thursday. He was released on his own recognizance on Friday after his initial court appearance.
According to a criminal complaint, customs agents spotted a package addressed to Pagan earlier this month containing more than a kilo of gamma-butyrolactone, a controlled substance commonly known as GBL that breaks down into the "date-rape drug" gamma hydroxybutyrate, or GHB. The Washington Post reported that the package, which originated in China, was addressed to "Longevity Concepts LNC, Fred Pagan."
The criminal complaint filed against Pagan stated that he told authorities that "he had ordered the GBL from a business in China and knew that the substance was illegal. Pagan further stated he had received three prior shipments of GBL."
The methamphetamine found in his home, Pagan said, came from California.
"Pagan stated that his distributor did this to avoid detection," the complaint read. "Pagan stated that he intended to distribute both the GBL and methamphetamine in exchange for sexual favors."
The 49-year-old suspect, who is registered to vote as a Democrat, reportedly began working for Cochran when he was 16 years old. He is currently Cochran's office manager and personal assistant.
"The senator is traveling to Mississippi right now and has not seen the details included in the documents you provided," a spokesperson for Cochran told the Post. "Our office is in the process of consulting with Senate legal counsel."
Cochran won a tightly-contested runoff election against Tea Party challenger Chris McDaniel last June.
WTOP-TV posted the complaint filed against Pagan, which can be seen below.
