Fresno Aide, Marijuana Trafficking, California 2024

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Table of Contents

Fresno Aide Sentenced for Marijuana Empire

Kevin Nouthai Yang, a 49-year-old Fresno resident, has been sentenced to three years and ten months in prison for his involvement in a massive marijuana cultivation operation in the Shasta Trinity National Forest.

According to Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, Yang, also known as Thai Yang, was found armed at the Hay Fork property during the execution of a federal search warrant. Authorities seized 324 pounds of marijuana and 200 marijuana plants from the property, as well as a firearm and restricted-use pesticides that had been transported across public land for use in the operation.

Yang was in the process of harvesting marijuana at the time of the search, and some of the marijuana had already been transported to Fresno for distribution. The investigation revealed that Yang was one of several individuals involved in the operation, which spanned multiple acres in the Shasta Trinity National Forest.

U.S. Forest Service agents obtained the search warrant after spotting hundreds of large, mature marijuana plants growing on Yang’s property. The agents worked closely with the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office to bring the operation down, and Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar prosecuted the case.

As a result of the sentence, Yang will also have to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term. Additionally, U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill ordered the forfeiture of the property and a firearm.

Yang was a high school teacher’s aide for the Central Unified School District at the time of his arrest, but has since resigned from his position. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of marijuana cultivation and the consequences of breaking the law.

The investigation and prosecution of this case were the result of a collaborative effort between the U.S. Forest Service and the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office. The case highlights the importance of law enforcement working together to combat marijuana-related crimes and protect our communities.