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Chats detail torture advice

By CARRIE WEIMAR
Published January 12, 2007

TAMPA - Scott Schweickert thought he was chatting online with a young gay man who wanted to learn more about torture and bondage.

Instead, he was revealing secrets to an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agent who would use those comments to build a criminal case.

In his America OnLine chats with DEA Agent Scott Albrecht, Schweickert advises him to use a combination of GHB, which is a central nervous system depressant, and a cleaning solvent called Maximum Impact to force unwilling victims to submit sexually.

"He will be out, yes," Schweickert writes, using the screen name MsterScott. "Long enough to get him bound, gagged and naked."

Jurors reviewed transcripts of the chats Thursday as part of the prosecution's case against Schweickert, on trial for conspiracy and assisting in a drug-facilitated crime of violence. If convicted, he could get up to 60 years in prison.

Authorities think Schweickert and Steven Lorenzo used the combination of drugs mentioned in the chats to subdue Jason Galehouse and Michael Walchholtz, both 26, who were tortured and killed.

A federal jury found Lorenzo guilty in November 2005. He was sentenced to 200 years in prison.

Jurors also reviewed transcripts Thursday of instant messages between Schweickert and Lorenzo.

The pair first made contact in October 2003, when Schweickert e-mailed Lorenzo seeking advice on kidnapping and dominating a Tampa man.

"If you would care to participate or help in any manner, please let me know," Schweickert wrote.

The two quickly struck up a friendship.

Carrie Weimar can be reached at 813 226-3416 or cweimar@sptimes.com.

[Last modified January 12, 2007, 00:09:21]