David Winchell, a 48-year-old resident of Rohnert Park, California, was sentenced on April 30 by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and money laundering, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Winchell received a sentence of 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $680,000 money judgment.
"The Defendant was at the head of a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of marijuana and marijuana related products throughout the Northern District of Indiana and elsewhere. The conspiracy involved at least 892 kilograms (1,966.52 pounds) of marijuana and 55,000 separate marijuana related products and has earned him seven years and three years of supervised release," US Attorney Adam Mildred said. "Law enforcement pieced together the scope of the conspiracy through painstaking analysis of ledgers created by Winchell and recovered through trash pulls and search warrants of his residence and other locations which detailed the marijuana sales over a two-year period. Investigators also uncovered that Winchell would launder the proceeds of the drug sales in part by purchasing money orders used to pay off personal credit cards. As part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath have shown that our combined efforts can make a ton of a difference, both literally and figuratively, for the Northern District of Indiana by shutting down this crew," Mildred said.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke commented: "The Drug Enforcement Administration will continue to work closely with its law enforcement and prosecution partners to hold drug traffickers accountable. There is no room in northern Indiana for those who want to commit drug crimes. Mr. Winchell’s money laundering activities were particularly unethical and illegal. He is worthy of today’s sentencing in federal court. His criminal actions have consequences."
Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge at IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office said: "David Winchell ran a large-scale marijuana business and tried to clean the money when it came in... IRS-CI special agents followed those profits and exposed the operation for what it was. This sentence makes clear that if you try to profit from illegal sales and hide the money, you will be held accountable." FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley added: "This sentence sends a clear message that those who engage in drug trafficking and attempt to hide their profits through money laundering will be identified, investigated, and brought to justice... We will continue working with our partners to combat these crimes and safeguard our communities."
The case was investigated by several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas McGrath.
This prosecution is part of an ongoing Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159 aimed at combating criminal cartels as well as foreign gangs operating within or affecting U.S borders.
