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Marijuana Growers Sentenced to Prison Time

DENVER – In a crackdown on marijuana grows on federal public land, federal authorities have announced the prosecution results from last year, as they prepare for this year’s marijuana harvest season.

According to U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer, U.S. Forest Service Special Agent in Charge Kent Delbon, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Special Agent in Charge Gary Mannino, all three agencies are working together with local law enforcement to make public lands safer, to prevent environmental damage, and to combat illegal marijuana trafficking.

During 2017, Forest Service agents and BLM officers, in concert with local law enforcement, dismantled marijuana operations on public land throughout the state, with several defendants receiving sentences of up to five years in prison.

Some of the notable cases include:

United States v. Santos Ramirez-Alvarez and Santos Ramirez-Carrillo, Case No. 17-cr-338: On two islands in the Colorado River near DeBeque, Colorado, approximately 9,100 marijuana plants were found growing on BLM land. Water from the Colorado river was diverted to irrigate the grow, while money derived from the grow went to individuals in Sinaloa, Mexico. Two defendants were arrested, charged, and pled guilty to a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. They were sentenced to 57 months and 60 months in prison, respectively.

United States v. Fernando Esquivel Herrera, No. 17-cr-402: In the White River National Forest, near Placita, Colorado, approximately 2,700 marijuana plants were found growing on about 8 acres of public land, with another 3,000 plants already harvested. Multiple bottles of WD-40 were found at the site. The defendant was charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana plants, along with other crimes. He was sentenced to 60 months in prison.

United States v. Neil Andrew McKay, No. 17-cr-403: On BLM land near Whitewater, Colorado, approximately 100 marijuana plants were located. The defendant – who was homeless — was found with a loaded handgun in his possession. He was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison.

United States v. Vincente Medrano Duque, No. 17-cr-320: In the San Isabel National Forest near Rye, Colorado, approximately 7,500 plants were located on a grow affecting approximately four acres. The defendant was charged and pled guilty to conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute marijuana plants, land depredation, and illegal reentry. Sentencing is scheduled for the end of August.

United States v. Danilo Jemenez-Lopez and Margarito Yepez-Sanchez, No. 17-cr-372: In the San Isabel National Forest near Rye, Colorado, approximately 14,000 marijuana plants were located on a grow affecting approximately twelve acres. Two defendants were charged, and one pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess marijuana, as well as land depredation. The case against defendant Jemenez-Lopez is still pending.

United States v. Cutberto Reyes-Martinez, Gildardo Mendez-Arizmendi, Martin Sandoval-Arizmendi, and Pedro Fernando Segovia Rosales, No. 17-cr-375: In the San Isabel National Forest near Salida, Colorado, approximately 4,000 marijuana plants were located on a grow affecting approximately seven acres. Four defendants were charged and pled guilty to conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute marijuana plants. Two defendants were also charged and pled guilty to illegal reentry. The defendants were sentenced individually to 20, 24, 60 and 24 months in prison.

United States v. Virgilio Alain Reyes Cervantes and Erik Pimental Magana Plata, No. 17-cr-431: In the San Isabel National Forest near Rye, Colorado, approximately 9,000 marijuana plants were found on a grow affecting approximately seven acres. Two defendants were charged with conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess marijuana, as well as land depredation. Their sentencing is scheduled for the end of August.

Federal authorities say they will continue to target marijuana grows on public land, making public lands safer, preventing environmental damage, and combating illegal marijuana trafficking.

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