A federal jury in Marquette, Michigan, found Lee Edward Blomquist guilty of manufacturing or aiding and abetting the manufacture of more than 50 marijuana plants and of possessing or aiding and abetting the possession of those plants with the intent to distribute them.
Blomquist, 48, of Felch, maintained a marijuana grow operation on family property located in Felch and sold processed marijuana to a Wisconsin resident over a period of nine months. At the time of his arrest in 2017, police found 32 pounds of processed marijuana with a street value in excess of $100,000.00.
The investigation into Blomquist’s marijuana grow operation began when detectives from the Kingsford, Iron Mountain, Norway, Dickinson (KIND) drug team conducted multiple controlled buys of marijuana from Blomquist’s Wisconsin associate. KIND detectives ultimately obtained a search warrant for the Blomquist property and found the marijuana grow building and processed marijuana.
Blomquist admitted to selling marijuana to his Wisconsin associate and described his work on the marijuana grow as a full-time job. Pending trial in September 2018, the court granted Blomquist a one week furlough from custody to visit with his sick father and Blomquist fled the jurisdiction. His trial commenced after KIND investigators recaptured him in November 2018.
On February 7, 2019, Blomquist pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and distribution of marijuana related to his Wisconsin associate. Blomquist was previously convicted in federal court of manufacturing marijuana and being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2003.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D. Lochner prosecuted the case. The prosecution would not have been possible without the combined assistance of the KIND drug team, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, the Kingsford Public Safety Department, the Iron Mountain Police Department, the Michigan State Police Crime Lab, and the Dickinson County Prosecutor’s Office.
The sentencing date has not been scheduled. Blomquist’s current status is pending sentencing.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of marijuana grow operations in the region. The combined efforts of local law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors demonstrate the commitment to enforcing federal controlled substance laws.
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking