WHEELING, W.Va. --


Two Tyler County men are facing state and federal charges for the alleged distribution and conspiracy to distribute illegal substances commonly called bath salts.

Philip James Hamilton Jr., 35, of Middlebourne, and Steven Kloh, 34, were arrested Thursday in the Middlebourne area after a federal grand jury in Elkins indicted them on Tuesday.


At a news conference, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld along with Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement officials said this was the first indictment of its kind in West Virginia's Northern District and made it very clear it will not be the last.


The substances are inexpensive and officials said mistakenly seen by some as legal and harmless. But, officials said bath salts are very dangerous when used improperly and called them "an emerging threat."


Officials said the use of bath salts is a growing epidemic. They're often sold in retail shops, gas stations, adult stores and on the Internet. The products and their chemical components are often packaged in such a way that they appear to be authentic beauty and household goods, the U.S. Attorney said.


"Sometimes you'll hear these being referred to as plant food, toy cleaner, decorative sand, ivory wave, vanilla sky, ocean snow and a lot of other street terms," Ihlenfeld said.


Bath salts are also known as MDPV and 4-MEC. According to a news release form the U.S. Attorney's Office, the drugs are known to produce side effects, including elevated heart rates, hypertension, irritability, extreme paranoia, delusions of superhuman strength and invincibility, hallucinations, suicide and aggressive and violent behavior.


"Although sold under a seemingly innocent name, the public needs to know these designer drugs are anything but," said Ava A. Cooper-Davis, a DEA special agent in charge. "These substances called 'bath salts' are extremely dangerous and those who supply them to our communities will be arrested and prosecuted."


Wheeling Police Chief Robert Matheny said it's a problem he fights on the local level.


"I think this sends out a message in a big way especially to the shop owners, the store owners, you know, if you sell this stuff, you're going to be caught and you're going to be prosecuted," Matheny said.


Officials said a confidential informant purchased bath salts from one of the suspects while the other suspect was present. During a search, police found numerous vials containing bath salts.

Hamilton and Kloh face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine on each count. Officials said the suspects are facing charges, including aiding and abetted the possession to distribute bath salts on Sept. 6 in Wick, Tyler County.


Hamilton appeared before a judge Thursday morning. He was released on bond and is on home confinement. Kloh remains in the West Virginia Northern Regional Jail and officials said he will stay there until his hearing Dec. 22, when both men are scheduled to be arraigned.


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