Helena, Montana – In a shocking turn of events, 52-year-old Mike Kurt Chilinski of Jefferson City has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in manufacturing marijuana in Montana. The sentencing took place on April 11, 2013, before Senior U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the investigation began when Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies served a search warrant at Chilinski’s residence on October 12, 2011. During the search, deputies discovered 216 marijuana plants growing in the residence and on the property. The Southwest Montana Drug Task Force was called in, and a subsequent search warrant was obtained for the marijuana plants.
Law enforcement recovered 216 marijuana plants and approximately 1,000 grams of processed marijuana. On October 13, 2011, deputies discovered more marijuana plants on the property, and a second search warrant was obtained. On October 14, 2011, law enforcement seized an additional 120 marijuana plants.
Chilinski stated that he purchased marijuana from another caregiver who charged him $260 per ounce. He claimed that the marijuana was for his new patients and to make new edibles. Chilinski also sold and gave away marijuana to potential patients.
Chilinski had as many as 30 patients at one time and was planning to reapply to be a caregiver. However, he had not completed the necessary paperwork. The marijuana plants and processed marijuana were submitted to the DEA Laboratory for analysis, and the results showed that they contained a detectable amount of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.
Chilinski was sentenced to 18 months in prison, consecutive to his previous sentence, a special assessment of $100, and 4 years of supervised release. Because there is no parole in the federal system, Chilinski will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. However, he has the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for ‘good behavior.’
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force.
Defendant: Mike Kurt Chilinski
Criminal Charges: Manufacture of marijuana
City and State: Jefferson City, Montana
Crime Date: October 12, 2011
Sentence: 18 months in prison, consecutive to previous sentence, special assessment of $100, and 4 years of supervised release
Dollar Amounts: $100 special assessment
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Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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