U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert | U.S. Department of Justice
Robert Charles Crist, a 58-year-old resident of Vacaville, has pleaded guilty to charges of illegal firearm possession and manufacturing a controlled substance. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.
Court documents reveal that on September 20, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Crist's residence. They discovered a laboratory used for the production of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. Crist reportedly traveled to Hawaii to procure plant materials necessary for DMT production and mailed them back to California. He extracted DMT liquid from these materials and converted it into a smokable crystalline form intended for distribution. Additionally, officers found Crist in possession of a firearm despite his five prior felony convictions prohibiting him from owning firearms.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the Solano County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Emily G. Sauvageau is leading the prosecution.
Crist is set to be sentenced by Judge Dena Coggins on March 21, 2025. He faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the firearm charge and up to 20 years in prison for manufacturing a controlled substance. The final sentence will be determined based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program emphasizes trust-building within communities, support for violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and results measurement.
