Defendant continued to cultivate marijuana after federal search warrant was executed
BOSTON - A Sutton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester in connection with a large scale marijuana grow operation.
Eric Vallee, 38, pleaded guilty to two counts of manufacturing marijuana and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Sept. 7, 2018.
A search of Vallee’s home in Auburn, Mass., where he maintained a large, commercial-style marijuana grow operation, resulted in the seizure of more than 100 marijuana plants as well as approximately seven pounds of marijuana packaged for distribution, a cash-counting machine, and approximately $13,000. Vallee then moved to a house in Sutton, Mass. where he continued to oversee a large, commercial-style marijuana grow operation. A search of the Sutton home resulted in the seizure of 55 marijuana plants as well as approximately seven pounds of marijuana packaged for distribution and a cash-counting machine.
Vallee faces a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office, made the announcement today. The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston and the Auburn and Sutton Police Departments provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
