ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A man accused of running a large-scale marijuana grow operation in East Rochester has pleaded guilty to federal charges, a Grimy Times investigation has found.
Christopher H. Monfort, 40, of East Rochester, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to manufacturing 50 or more marijuana plants. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both.
According to court documents, police recovered 276 marijuana plants, as well as scales, lights, and other equipment used to grow and manufacture marijuana, during the execution of a search warrant at a residence at 353 Noridge Drive in Irondequoit, N.Y. Monfort admitted to using the residence to house a marijuana grow operation.
But Monfort’s troubles with the law don’t stop there. He also faces other federal charges in a separate matter, including a plea to burglary of a railcar in 2009. Those charges resulted from Monfort’s involvement in the theft of more than 67 gross tons of processed scrap metal from railcars at a CSX Transportation railroad yard located south of the City of Batavia, between June 20, 2009, and June 30, 2009.
The investigation into Monfort’s marijuana grow operation was led by the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, a multi-agency task force composed of law enforcement personnel from the Rochester Police Department, Brighton Police Department, East Rochester Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Monfort’s sentencing for both matters is scheduled for March 4, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. before Judge Siragusa. The investigation is a stark reminder of the growing threat of marijuana grow operations in our community and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey is handling the case.
The Grimy Times will continue to provide updates on this developing story.
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