A Canadian man has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for his role in a marijuana smuggling conspiracy.
Matthew Farkas, 42, of Montreal, Canada, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison after his guilty plea to charges that he conspired to distribute marijuana and transport the proceeds from that conspiracy across international borders.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge William K. Sessions III on August 17, 2015. Farkas was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
Farkas forfeited $35,000 in drug proceeds to the United States at the sentencing hearing.
According to court records, Farkas was involved in a marijuana conspiracy that lasted from 2007 through November of 2012. From Canada, Farkas arranged that bulk quantities of marijuana be smuggled into the United States from Canada at locations in Vermont and Northern New York.
The marijuana was then sold in the United States and the cash proceeds from the sales were smuggled from the United States to Canada.
Farkas was arrested in Australia by Australian authorities in 2014 at the request of the United States. He was subsequently extradited back to Vermont to face federal charges.
Farkas had moved to Australia in 2011 with his family.
For his crimes, Farkas faced a statutory maximum term of 20 years in prison. The United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are advisory, recommended that Farkas receive a prison term between 168 and 210 months.
In a written plea agreement, the government and defense counsel agreed that the Court should sentence Farkas to a sentence of between 24 and 72 months.
In determining that a 37-month sentence was appropriate in this case, Judge Sessions considered, among other factors, Farkas’ decision to remove himself from the conspiracy and obtain legitimate employment in Australia and the fact that Farkas has two young children to support.
United States Attorney Miller commended the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms for their investigation into this matter.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Doherty, Jr. Farkas is represented by Burlington defense attorney Mark Kaplan.
Matthew Farkas, the 42-year-old Canadian man, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for his role in a marijuana smuggling conspiracy.
Farkas was involved in a conspiracy that lasted from 2007 through November of 2012, which involved smuggling marijuana from Canada into the United States.
Farkas was arrested in Australia in 2014 and extradited back to Vermont to face federal charges.
Farkas’ sentence includes three years of supervised release following his prison term and the forfeiture of $35,000 in drug proceeds.
Farkas faced a statutory maximum term of 20 years in prison, but was sentenced to 37 months after a plea agreement.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge William K. Sessions III on August 17, 2015.
Farkas’ decision to remove himself from the conspiracy and obtain legitimate employment in Australia was considered a mitigating factor in his sentence.
The United States Attorney commended the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms for their investigation into this matter.
Farkas is represented by Burlington defense attorney Mark Kaplan and the prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Doherty, Jr.
The case is a reminder of the ongoing threat of international marijuana smuggling and the efforts of law enforcement to combat it.
Farkas’ sentence is a significant blow to those involved in the marijuana trade and serves as a warning to others who would engage in similar activities.
Farkas’ family had hoped for a lighter sentence, citing his decision to remove himself from the conspiracy and obtain legitimate employment in Australia.
The case highlights the complexities of international crime and the challenges faced by law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting such cases.
Farkas’ sentence is a result of the hard work and dedication of law enforcement and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to bring this case to a successful conclusion.
The case is a reminder that international crime knows no borders and that law enforcement agencies must work together to combat it.
Farkas is currently serving his sentence at a federal prison in the United States.
The case is a significant reminder of the ongoing threat of international marijuana smuggling and the efforts of law enforcement to combat it.
Related Federal Cases
- Robert Eldridge, Possessing Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Vermont 2024 · New York
- Jack M. Cohen, Marijuana Importation, Vermont 2024 · New Hampshire
- Michael J Foreste, Prescription Pill Smuggling, Vermont 2023 · New Hampshire
- Jack M. Cohen, Marijuana Importation, Vermont 2021 · New Hampshire
- Matthew Fidler, Heroin and Methamphetamine Trafficking, Vermont 2022 · New Hampshire
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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