Edgardo Fournier-Nigaglioni, Marijuana Cultivation, California 2014

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury has returned a five-count indictment against Edgardo Fournier-Nigaglioni, 45, of Perris, charging him with conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, damaging public land and natural resources, and setting timber afire.

According to court documents, on July 11, 2014, Fournier-Nigaglioni was involved in the cultivation of 2,090 marijuana plants in the Smith Canyon area of the Sequoia National Forest. He started several fires while leaving the marijuana cultivation site, causing the Nicolls Fire, which damaged about 1,680 acres of public land and will cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

When Forest Service agents went to the cultivation site, they eradicated 2,090 marijuana plants and seized rounds of ammunition. The marijuana cultivation operation caused significant damage to the land and natural resources of the forest.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, United States Bureau of Land Management, and Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Fournier-Nigaglioni is in custody as a flight risk and danger to the community and is scheduled for arraignment on July 28, 2014.

If convicted of the drug offenses, Fournier-Nigaglioni faces a statutory penalty of 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. For damaging public lands and resources, Fournier-Nigaglioni faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For causing the Nicolls Fire, Fournier-Nigaglioni faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.

Fournier-Nigaglioni, 45, is a resident of Perris, California. He is charged with the following crimes:

1. Conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana (5 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine)

2. Manufacturing marijuana (10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine)

3. Possessing marijuana with intent to distribute (10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine)

4. Damaging public land and natural resources (10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine)

5. Setting timber afire (5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine)

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