Ohio - A Utica man who owns a Newark bar could face federal charges after 235 kilograms of marijuana were found at his home Dec. 19.
Jeffrey L. Justice, 52, last known address 1356 Cullison Road, Utica, was arrested after pounds of marijuana were found at his home, which was raided by Knox County Tactical Response Unit and the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force.
Investigators found 22 bales of marijuana and $3,000 and multiple firearms in Justice's safe, according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court.
Justice, who owns the Cedar Grill, 144 N. Cedar St., with his wife and several rental properties, told investigators, "I'm guilty of what's here," according to the complaint.
On Dec. 18, an Ohio Highway Patrol trooper initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 70 for a semi-truck driven by Hector Manuel Aviles, 26, of Gantee, Calif., and owned by Bradly Williams, 58, of Oceanside, Calif., who was sitting in the passenger seat.
After a dog alerted the trooper to the suspicious items in the trailer, it was taken to a Columbus maintenance garage and investigated. The trooper found $506,607 in shrink wrapped bundles, according to the complaint.
Aviles told a Drug Enforcement Administration agent and Licking County detective he had delivered 22 boxes of marijuana to a location later identified as Justice's home, according to the complaint.
Williams and Justice unloaded the marijuana while Justice's son was instructed to watch traffic, according to the complaint. Justice's son's property also was searched Dec. 19, but he has not been charged, said sheriff's office Lt. Tom Brown, who also is the commander of CODE.
Aviles told investigators he was helping Williams deliver the marijuana and was instructed to bring the cash to a person named "CoCo" upon their return to California.
Both had been arrested and released on Sept. 10 in New York in a tractor filled with about 300 pounds of marijuana, according to the complaint. Williams told Aviles he wanted to make some money before turning over his supply source to New York authorities, the complaint said.
Brown said CODE had received information about Justice's involvement in marijuana trafficking as early as 2003 and had worked with Knox County authorities in their arrests.
Justice, Aviles and Williams were charged in Knox County with one count each of possession of marijuana and trafficking in marijuana, both second-degree felonies. Those charges were dropped Monday pending federal charges, according to court records.
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Advocate Reporter
Author: JESSIE BALMERT
Contact: newarkadvocate.com | The Newark Advocate
Copyright: 2009 Advocate Reporter
Website:Utica man could face federal charges in connection with marijuana bust
Jeffrey L. Justice, 52, last known address 1356 Cullison Road, Utica, was arrested after pounds of marijuana were found at his home, which was raided by Knox County Tactical Response Unit and the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force.
Investigators found 22 bales of marijuana and $3,000 and multiple firearms in Justice's safe, according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court.
Justice, who owns the Cedar Grill, 144 N. Cedar St., with his wife and several rental properties, told investigators, "I'm guilty of what's here," according to the complaint.
On Dec. 18, an Ohio Highway Patrol trooper initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 70 for a semi-truck driven by Hector Manuel Aviles, 26, of Gantee, Calif., and owned by Bradly Williams, 58, of Oceanside, Calif., who was sitting in the passenger seat.
After a dog alerted the trooper to the suspicious items in the trailer, it was taken to a Columbus maintenance garage and investigated. The trooper found $506,607 in shrink wrapped bundles, according to the complaint.
Aviles told a Drug Enforcement Administration agent and Licking County detective he had delivered 22 boxes of marijuana to a location later identified as Justice's home, according to the complaint.
Williams and Justice unloaded the marijuana while Justice's son was instructed to watch traffic, according to the complaint. Justice's son's property also was searched Dec. 19, but he has not been charged, said sheriff's office Lt. Tom Brown, who also is the commander of CODE.
Aviles told investigators he was helping Williams deliver the marijuana and was instructed to bring the cash to a person named "CoCo" upon their return to California.
Both had been arrested and released on Sept. 10 in New York in a tractor filled with about 300 pounds of marijuana, according to the complaint. Williams told Aviles he wanted to make some money before turning over his supply source to New York authorities, the complaint said.
Brown said CODE had received information about Justice's involvement in marijuana trafficking as early as 2003 and had worked with Knox County authorities in their arrests.
Justice, Aviles and Williams were charged in Knox County with one count each of possession of marijuana and trafficking in marijuana, both second-degree felonies. Those charges were dropped Monday pending federal charges, according to court records.
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Advocate Reporter
Author: JESSIE BALMERT
Contact: newarkadvocate.com | The Newark Advocate
Copyright: 2009 Advocate Reporter
Website:Utica man could face federal charges in connection with marijuana bust
