California Woman and Montana Man Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Hashish

A federal indictment has accused a California woman and a Montana man of possessing marijuana and hashish with the intent to distribute them.

Beth Swank, a 52-year-old woman from Columbia, California, and Claudio Puccio, a 46-year-old man from Alberton, Montana, were indicted by a federal grand jury on January 15, 2014, for their alleged involvement in the distribution of Schedule I controlled substances.

According to the indictment, Swank and Puccio were found to possess marijuana and hashish in Lyman County, South Dakota, on November 23, 2013. If convicted, they are facing a maximum penalty of not more than 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, at least 2 years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Swank and Puccio appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno and pled not guilty to the indictment. They were subsequently remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for March 25, 2014.

The charges are merely accusations, and Swank and Puccio are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the Division of Criminal Investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller handling the prosecution.

Swank and Puccio are accused of knowingly and intentionally possessing marijuana and hashish with the intent to distribute them. The indictment alleges that they had in their possession Schedule I controlled substances, which include marijuana and hashish.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for the crime of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance is not more than 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, at least 2 years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

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