LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Federal felony drug charges have been filed against six men and one woman for growing marijuana in homes in Henderson and Las Vegas, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.
Bruce Rogat, 64, Daniel Pinsonault, 57, Mark Pinsonault, 49, Ezekiel Parraz, 30, and Eli Pinsonault, 81, all of Henderson, Nev., and Jeremy Greene-Lewis, 31, and Candice Blackwell, 29, of Las Vegas, were indicted on Feb. 5, 2013, and charged with conspiracy to manufacture marijuana. The defendants are also charged variously with other drug crimes, including maintaining drug-involved premises, manufacture of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, including marijuana, THC, and psilocybin.
All of the defendants, except Rogat, were arrested in Las Vegas last Thursday evening, Feb. 7, and made initial appearances before a federal magistrate judge on Friday, Feb. 8, and were released pending trial, currently set for April 9, 2013. Rogat was summoned, and is scheduled for an initial appearance and arraignment on Feb. 28, 2013, at 3:00 p.m.
According to the indictment, beginning on about Aug. 25, 2011, and continuing to Nov. 30, 2012, the defendants conspired to manufacture at least 100 marijuana plants. Three homes are alleged to have been used as marijuana grow houses - 815 Sun Bridge Lane, in Henderson; 7330 Flintstone Street in Las Vegas, and 325 New Hope Drive, in Henderson. The total number of marijuana plants involved is not specified in the indictment, other than it is over 100. The total amount of marijuana that was possessed for the purpose of distribution is alleged to be over 20 kilograms.
If convicted, the defendants face five to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million.
This case is being investigated by the DEA, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the Henderson Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly M. Frayn.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
