DALLAS – After a two-year federal investigation, the owners of the Gas Pipe head shop chain were arrested Wednesday night facing federal charges for conspiring to sell synthetic marijuana.
Gerald "Jerry" Shults and his daughter, Amy Lynn Herrig, are charged with conspiring to sell synthetic marijuana, which is commonly known as K2, Spice or herbal incense.
Both Shults and Herrig deny the allegations.
On Wednesday night, the Gas Pipe store located in the 4400 block of Maple Avenue appeared to be doing business as usual.
Last summer, DEA agents seized 10 Gas Pipe locations and nearly $3 million from 23 bank accounts — among other things — after agents alleged that they had purchased synthetic marijuana there.
The DEA says synthetic marijuana mimics the real thing, and can get users high.
It is also believed to have played a part in the death of Oscar Maldonado. Family members told News 8 that the 17-year-old from Plano West High School got sick and died while smoking it in 2013.
Shults and his daughter are believed to be at the vanguard of multiple arrests as a federal investigation that began in 2013 concludes.
The federal government outlawed synthetic marijuana in 2012.
Gas Pipe owns stores in North Texas, Austin, and New Mexico.
