United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today that a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Kong Meng Vang, 34, of Tulsa, Oklahoma: Count One - Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana; Count Two - Possess With Intent to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana; and a Forfeiture Allegation.
A complaint and affidavit filed last week affirmed that state and federal law enforcement officers executed search warrants at Vang’s residence and business, Vang’s Dyno Performance. The search of the residence resulted in the seizure of almost 1,500 pounds of marijuana located in two rental trucks, a cell phone, and three semi-automatic handguns. Seizures at the business included several additional firearms and 23 vehicles.
The maximum penalty on each count of the indictment is not less than 5 years or more than 40 years imprisonment, a fine of $5,000,000, and a period of supervised release of at least 4 years following any sentence of imprisonment. Additionally, a $100 special monetary assessment applies to each count.
United States Attorney Shores stated, “It is our mission at the United States Attorney’s Office to enforce the laws of the United States. This includes the federal laws prohibiting the distribution of marijuana. My office will adhere to the rule of law and prosecute those who traffic marijuana into our community, especially - as in this case - when we discover nearly 1,500 pounds of marijuana and firearms."
The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
The indictment is the result of a joint investigation by the Tulsa Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Wilson is prosecuting the case as part of the United States Attorney’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
