United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Eureka, California, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Melvin Farmer, Jr., age 43, was indicted on Feb. 14, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 16, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, at least 2 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between Aug. 1, 2012, and Aug. 22, 2017, Farmer, along with his sister and her husband, knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with others to distribute marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.
The charge is merely an accusation and Farmer is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Farmer was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
