John Berger Press Release (Sentencing)

April 4, 2008
For Immediate Release

ST. LOUIS AREA MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON DRUG CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF A WOMAN AFTER GIVING HER THE “DATE RAPE DRUG”

St. Louis, Missouri: John Berger was sentenced to five years in prison on multiple charges of distribution of narcotics, including a “date rape drug.” Two of the charges involved the death of a woman in 2002, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today. At the conclusion of his prison term, Berger will be on supervised release for five years.

“GHB can be colorless, odorless and tasteless, and is often used to intoxicate or sedate others for the purpose of committing sexual assault. Mr. Berger will now have to pay for distributing a GHB analog to Tressa Gross, which resulted in her death,” said Hanaway. “Unfortunately, it is too late for Ms. Gross, but perhaps this case will make other people aware of the dangers involved with this drug.”

1,4-butanediol (BD) is an analogue of GHB, and converts into GHB after ingestion. GHB analog is a drug with a chemical structure substantially similar to GHB which has a similar effect on the central nervous system as GHB. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a central nervous system depressant abused because it produces euphoria, intoxication and hallucinations. It also causes drowsiness, nausea, loss of inhibition, memory loss and visual disturbances, and in higher dosages, unconsciousness, seizures, severe respiratory depression, coma and death. GHB can be produced as a clear liquid, white powder or tablet. The typical dose is one to five grams, ingested orally after being mixed in a liquid, usually water or alcohol. There are numerous street names, including “G.” Agencies involved in the enforcement, treatment and prevention of drug abuse call this “the date rape drug.”

JOHN BERGER, St. Louis, Missouri, pled guilty last November to one felony count of possession with intent to distribute 1,4 butanediol for human consumption, one felony count of distribution of cocaine, one felony count of distribution of 1,4 butanediol with death resulting and one felony count of possession with intent to distribute 1,4 butanediol for human consumption, with death resulting. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry.

Hanaway commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Louis Police Department for their investigation of this difficult case and Assistant United States Attorneys James Delworth and Tiffany Becker, who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI CATHERINE L. HANAWAY United States Attorney	NEWS RELEASE
For further information: Call Public Affairs Officer Jan Diltz at (314) 539-7719
April 4, 2008 For Immediate Release ST. LOUIS AREA MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON DRUG CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF A WOMAN AFTER GIVING HER THE “DATE RAPE DRUG” St. Louis, Missouri: John Berger was sentenced to five years in prison on multiple charges of distribution of narcotics, including a “date rape drug.” Two of the charges involved the death of a woman in 2002, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today. At the conclusion of his prison term, Berger will be on supervised release for five years. “GHB can be colorless, odorless and tasteless, and is often used to intoxicate or sedate others for the purpose of committing sexual assault. Mr. Berger will now have to pay for distributing a GHB analog to Tressa Gross, which resulted in her death,” said Hanaway. “Unfortunately, it is too late for Ms. Gross, but perhaps this case will make other people aware of the dangers involved with this drug.” 1,4-butanediol (BD) is an analogue of GHB, and converts into GHB after ingestion. GHB analog is a drug with a chemical structure substantially similar to GHB which has a similar effect on the central nervous system as GHB. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a central nervous system depressant abused because it produces euphoria, intoxication and hallucinations. It also causes drowsiness, nausea, loss of inhibition, memory loss and visual disturbances, and in higher dosages, unconsciousness, seizures, severe respiratory depression, coma and death. GHB can be produced as a clear liquid, white powder or tablet. The typical dose is one to five grams, ingested orally after being mixed in a liquid, usually water or alcohol. There are numerous street names, including “G.” Agencies involved in the enforcement, treatment and prevention of drug abuse call this “the date rape drug.” JOHN BERGER, St. Louis, Missouri, pled guilty last November to one felony count of possession with intent to distribute 1,4 butanediol for human consumption, one felony count of distribution of cocaine, one felony count of distribution of 1,4 butanediol with death resulting and one felony count of possession with intent to distribute 1,4 butanediol for human consumption, with death resulting. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry. Hanaway commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Louis Police Department for their investigation of this difficult case and Assistant United States Attorneys James Delworth and Tiffany Becker, who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.