cannabisnews.com: County Pot Growers Nailed by DEA 





County Pot Growers Nailed by DEA 
Posted by CN Staff on February 16, 2003 at 09:23:38 PT
By Michael Coit, The Press Democrat
Source: Press Democrat 
Seven Sonoma County men who were growing marijuana for medicinal use have been arrested, charged or sentenced since the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration began targeting growers.Mike Foley, 36, Jenner: Grew marijuana at his home for his use. Arrested in June of last year. Pleaded guilty in December to growing fewer than 100 plants. Sentencing set for March 19.
Keith Alden, 53, Windsor: A jury found Alden guilty in February last year of growing more than 700 plants and he was sentenced to probation. In a subsequent case, a jury found Alden guilty in November of growing a measurable amount and he was sentenced to more than 40 months in prison. He is housed at the federal detention center in Dublin.Mark Whitney, 43, Santa Rosa: Grew marijuana in the basement of his home for a cooperative with 10 members until the DEA shut it down following a raid in March. Pleaded guilty in November to growing more than 400 marijuana plants. Sentencing set for March 19.Dan Nelson, 42, Santa Rosa: Grew marijuana at his home for his use. Arrested when DEA agents raided and shut down the Aiko Compassion Center, a Santa Rosa dispensary with 800 members, in May. Arrested on suspicion of maintaining a place for growing marijuana. Arraignment set for Feb. 27.Ed Bierling, 44, Santa Rosa: Grew marijuana at his home for him and his wife. Arrested in connection with the Aiko raid on suspicion of maintaining a place for growing marijuana. Arraignment set for Feb. 27.Robert Schmidt, 52, Petaluma: Grew marijuana as the owner of Genesis 1:29, a Petaluma dispensary with 1,300 members. Arrested when DEA agents raided a ranch near Sebastopol where Schmidt grew the marijuana in September. Charged with growing and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute and assaulting a federal agent, which involved taking an automatic rifle from an agent. No trial date has been set.Ken Hayes, 34, Petaluma: He is seeking asylum in Canada. Wanted in the United States on marijuana trafficking and money laundering charges. DEA agents raided a Petaluma ranch where Hayes grew marijuana for his use and the Harm Reduction Center, a San Francisco dispensary, in February last year. In the same case, a jury found Ed Rosenthal guilty of growing marijuana and conspiracy to grow more than 100 plants. Rosenthal was overseeing the growing operation under Oakland's medical marijuana ordinance.Source: Press Democrat, The (CA)Author: Michael Coit, The Press DemocratPublished: February 16, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Press DemocratContact: letters pressdemo.comWebsite: http://www.pressdemo.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:The Drug War Refugeeshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/smk.htmMedical Marijuana Awareness Weekhttp://www.freedomtoexhale.com/aware.htmAbout Schmidt - Anderson Valley Advertiser http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15476.shtmlMedical Pot Activists Plan Week of Events http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15464.shtml
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