Two Convicted Of Conspiracy In $1.3 Million Medical Marijuana Operation

[bobandtorey]

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Two Kent County residents have been convicted of running a medical marijuana operation that authorities say brought in about $1.3 million.

Jurors in U.S. District Court on Monday, Jan. 12, found Betty Lee Jenkins and Phillip Joseph Walsh guilty of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and maintaining drug-involved premises following a six-day trial in Kalamazoo. 

The trial before Judge Paul Maloney included testimony from some co-defendants who have pleaded guilty for their roles in the operation that began in 2012. 

Much of the marijuana, which the government said made the conspirators $1,293,600, was sold outside of the state. The government said Jenkins and Walsh, with the assistance of eight others, grew more than 100 plants at more than 10 properties. Court documents pointed to Jenkins as the leader of the operation.

The defendants contended they thought they acted within guidelines of the state’s medical marijuana law. The government alleged their claims of compliance were a "ruse to shield them from state prosecution."

Maloney ruled against those who wanted to use the state’s medical marijuana law as a defense.

In November 2013, officers with the Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team and Drug Enforcement Agency were investigating an alleged marijuana manufacturing operation run by Kathleen Anne Rosengren in Cascade Township. She told police she provided Jenkins with two large garbage bags of harvested marijuana that Jenkins took to her Kentwood home. Rosengren later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute less than 50 kg of marijuana.

RELATED: Medical marijuana grower finds no relief in federal law change, alleged leader of Kent County operation on trial

Detectives executed a search warrant at Jenkins' home, and that raid led them to apartment buildings in Gaines Township where marijuana was being grown. 

Neither Jenkins nor Walsh lived at the apartment properties but allowed tenants to stay there rent free or for a reduced fee in exchange for growing marijuana, the government said. 

Jenkins and Walsh were arrested in April, at which time officers found the two were continuing to manufacture marijuana at three locations. 

In total, police seized 467 marijuana plants and 18 pounds of processed marijuana.

Among the others accused of aiding the operation is Dr. Gregory Kuldanek, who admitted to certifying medical-marijuana patients and caregivers without providing medical evaluations. He pleaded guilty to manufacturing fewer than 50 marijuana plants and forfeited property in Belding, which he rented to Jenkins, according to court records.

The government is seeking forfeiture of the properties where marijuana was grown as well as a judgment of $1,293,600 representing the proceeds of the conspiracy. A forfeiture hearing is set for Tuesday.

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/01/two_convicted_of_conspiracy_fo.html

[budpuffer]

it seems that this was a bad "good" plan...so these folks were sitting around one day and thought that they had a good plan to make some big money.. and it didn't turn out that way,,who'd have thought it?...lol..what the heck were they thinking? i wonder if they gave a thought to where they'd be doing their jail time at?..lol...bp

[pic book]

Much bettter odds running a disp in detroit.  Di they think about that?