LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Federal charges were unsealed today against six individuals, including three Californians, for unlawfully operating a marijuana dispensary in Las Vegas and unlawfully distributing marijuana, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.
Randy Ruley Phillips, 42, of Las Vegas, Nev.; Jaclyn Mikie Sumarnkant, aka “Turtle," 27, of Alhambra, Calif.; Quy Nguyen, aka “Gabe", 28, of San Diego, Calif.; Randy Allen Kim, aka “Kevin," 24, of Las Vegas, Nev.; Andrew Yim, 24, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and Michael Minh Quang Dinh, 37, of Garden Grove, Calif., are charged in an indictment dated April 23, 1013. The indictment was unsealed today at the initial court hearing for defendants Randy Phillips and Michael Dinh. Defendants Phillips, Nguyen, Kim, Yim, and Dinh have already made initial appearances in court and were released on personal recognizance bonds pending trial.
Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to distribute THC distribution of marijuana, conspiracy to possess with marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess THC with the intent to distribute, possession of THC with the intent to distribute, conspiracy to maintain drug-involved premises, and maintaining drug-involved premises. Defendants Sumarnkant, Nguyen, Kim, and Yim face additional distribution of marijuana charges.
According to the indictment, beginning on about July 27, 2011, and continuing to Sept. 25, 2012, the defendants maintained the Alternative Solutions Marijuana Dispensary located at 6985 W. Sahara Avenue, Suite 110, in Las Vegas, Nev. for the purpose of distributing marijuana and THC. Marijuana dispensaries are not recognized under Nevada law, and it is illegal to sell marijuana in Nevada.
If convicted, they face up to twenty years in prison and fines of up to $1,000,000.
The investigation is being conducted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the Nevada High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amber M. Craig.
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
