A former Wesleyan University football player accused of providing recreational hallucinogenic drugs to about 20 of his teammates has been sentenced to six months of home confinement.
Ryan Welch, 22, of Salem, Massachusetts, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Bridgeport and must also serve three years of probation and perform 200 hours of community service.
Wesleyan University’s Department of Public Safety responded to an emergency call from a campus dorm room on Oct. 31 and found a male student in severe medical distress. The victim was convulsing and struggling to breathe, and his body temperature was significantly elevated, officials said. The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital where he spent several days recovering.
Welch pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance.
Officials said he bought the synthetic drug on the Dark Web using Bitcoin.
Welch played defensive back for Wesleyan, a Division III program, and is no longer enrolled at Wesleyan, which is located in Middletown, Connecticut.
Prosecutors said Welch sold his teammates a drug mixture that was known as "Welchie's Special."
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Welch began dealing the drugs about a year ago, just before the start of his junior year, prosecutors said.
The school hasn't said whether the players who purchased the drugs will face discipline.
A school spokesman didn't immediately return messages from the Associated Press seeking comment Tuesday.
