NEWS RELEASE
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Julia C. Dudley Acting United States Attorney Brian McGinn Public Affairs Specialist |
BB&T Building 310 1st Street, S.W., Room 906 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 (540) 857-2974 FAX (540) 857-2179 |
August 12, 2008
INDOOR MARIJUANA CULTIVATOR PLEADS GUILTY
Acting United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley announced today that Michael Lewis Easton, age 49, of Albemarle County, Virginia, pled guilty yesterday in United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Charlottesville to charges that he and another individual were involved in the cultivation of marijuana.
Easton and Debra Allyn Morris, age 46, also of Albermarle County, were indicted in April of 2008 and charged with a variety of drug and gun charges related to the cultivation of marijuana.
Both were charged with one count of conspiring to cultivate 50 or more marijuana plants. Easton was additionally charged with two counts of cultivating 50 or more marijuana plants and with one count of being in possession of 10 firearms while being an admitted user of marijuana.
Today in District Court, Easton pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to manufacture 50 or more plants of marijuana. In addition, Easton agreed to pay $70,000 within 30 day’s of today’s date in lieu of the forfeiture of his residence. The defendant also agreed to forfeit several guns that were found at his home.
In June, Morris pled guilty to one count of conspiring to cultivate 50 or more marijuana plants.
“By stopping the individuals who produce these illegal narcotics, we are cutting off the distribution of drugs at the source,” Acting United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley said today. “I am pleased that both individuals involved in this activity have accepted responsibility for their actions.”
The maximum penalty faced by Morris and Easton is 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up $1,000,000. Morris is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9, 2008. Easton will be sentenced on November 3, 2008.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the JADE Task Force and the Virginia State Police. Special Assistant United States Attorney Ron Huber is prosecuting the case for the United States.