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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 1088.001 2006-2008 JNS V`oF ~4W Harry Kim - Lawrence K. Mailman grnr Police Chief 'TJ x. o1:p °r< 6; Harry S. Kubojiri Deputy Police Chief' County of Hawaii POLICE DEPARTMENT 349 Kapiolani Street Hilo, Hawai'i 96720-3998 (808)935-3311 Fax(808)961-8865 r.a a 0 t1 ~ April 7, 2008 zr-, z C Mr. Pete Hoffmann i " Council Member, District 9 Hawaii County Council = iv P Dear M offmann: In preparation for the upcoming Hawaii County Council Finance Committee review on the acceptance of the 2008 DCE/SP $282,000 Federal Grant for Marijuana Eradication, the attached packet has been compiled. The purpose of the packet is to provide statistical data and information to assist all council members in making an informed decision regarding the acceptance of these monies to assist our police department. Our department will have representatives present during these meetings to answer any questions of the council regarding our marijuana operations. If you have any questions after reviewing the attached packet regarding its contents or any other concerns regarding our marijuana operations, please contact Lieutenant Samuel Jelsma of our Area I Vice Section at (808)961-2253. incerely, LAWRENCE K. MAHUNA POLICE CHIEF SJ:IIi Att. Gomm. No. to Its I Ref. To, Lresent Ref. Date, APR $ 20x8 "Hawai"i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer" 2007 DCE/SP grant How Hawaii Police Department spent 2007 DCE/SP grant monies ems" Private helicopter rental $126,136.52 (flew for 171.8 hours at $700-$794 hour cost) Overtime for officers working eradication, search warrants ...............$94,689.93 (total of 2121.65 hours of overtime expended) Off-island training (tuition and travel expenses)* ..........................$61,704.69 Off-island assistance to other County PD (travel expense)* ..............$24, 705.04 (marijuana eradication and investigations) Equipment purchases _ ....................................$16,2 3.82 (GPS, survival kits, camel back canteen, tactical holsters, flashlights, boots, camouflage, bags, misc. rappel equipment) Drug prevention/anti-drug items $13, i 12.59 (pencils, T-shirts, pens, key chains, and other drug prevention items distributed to children at schools during talks by police officers) Certification training (travel and per diem expense)* .........................$5,762.52 Informant payment & drug "buy" money .......................................$5,000.00 ~r Cellular phone service ............................................................$4,996.21 (duty phones used by vice officers) Meals purchased for eradication missions/search warrants ....................$4,905.71 Semi-Annual Statewide DCE/SP meetings (travel expense)* ..............$3,628.16 Material cost to repair Rappel tower .............................................$3,000.00 (tower in Volcano National park used for training) Other grocery supplies for eradication missions ...............................$2,479.66 Island Eradication (per Diem expense)* ........................................$1,999.20 Other travel expense* ..............................................................$1,504.42 Miscellaneous supplies & service... $141.53 (calibrate scales, vet service for canine, HELCO research) Total amount: $370,000.00 *additional detailed breakdown of costs covered on following pages. 1 Training Breakdown; primarily off-island: (travel, tuition and per diem expenses) Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) conference ................$5861.12 California (January 06-12, 2007) 2 officers expenses Narcotic & Explosive Canine seminar* ........................................$5102.69 California (January 08-12, 2007) 3 officers expenses DCE/SP National training conference ..........................................$7097.81 Tennessee (April 05-07, 2007) 4 officers expenses DEA Basic Narcotic Investigation training* ..................................$2043.92 Kona (May 01-04, 2007) 5 officers expenses Detection & Dismantling Marijuana "Indoor grow" training .................$254.22 California (May 13-17, 2007) additional expense charged elsewhere. Covert Operations/Undercover Officer training* ..............................$7324.34 Nevada (August 05-10, 2007) 3 officers expenses Money Laundering/Asset Forfeiture*. $1981.21 Honolulu (August 21-22, 2007) 3 officers expenses ~w+ New Vice Officer training with Honolulu Police Department* ..............$3131.51 Honolulu (August 26-31, 2007) 4 officers expenses Asset Forfeiture for Commanders training* ....................................$4432.91 California (August 28-30, 2007) 2 officers expenses Water Egress (helicopter water crash escape) training* ......................$2946.25 Honolulu (November 13-15, 2007) 4 officers expenses California Narcotic Officers Association (CNOA) training conference* ...$7527.98 Nevada (November 17-20, 2007) 3 officer expenses Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) conference ..............$14,000.73 California (January 05-11, 2008) 5 officer expenses *indicates training that is not specific to simply marijuana enforcement Total training expenses: $61,704.69 2 Breakdown of assistance rendered to other County Police Departments in State (Relating to marijuana eradication or investigations, travel & per diem expenses) Maui Police Department 03-13/15-07 (2 officers expenses) .......................$979.67 Kauai Police Department 04-08/11-07 (1 officer expense) .........................$544.27 Maui Police Department 04-11/13-07 (1 officer expense) .........................$656.93 Maui Police Department 05-07/08-07 (1 officer expense) .........................$495.89 Honolulu Police Department 05-13/17-07 (2 officer expense) .......................$2173.02 Kauai Police Department 05-25/27-07 (1 officer expense) .........................$706.03 Honolulu Police Department 06-17/19-07 (1 officer expense) .........................$561.91 Honolulu Police Department 07-15/17-07 (1 officer expense) .........................$570.59 Kauai Police Department 07-15/20-07 (1 officer expense) ..........................$898.30 Honolulu Police Department 08-06/09-07 (2 officer expense) ........................$1948.29 Maui Police Department 08-13/16-07 (1 officer expense)... -S454.74 err Kauai Police Department 08-30/09-02-07 (2 officer expense) ........................$2216.73 Maui Police Department 09-06/09-07 (1 officer expense) .........................$693.62 Maui/Honolulu/Kauai PD 09-06/13-07 (2 officer expense)... - $4153.29 Honolulu Police Department 09-09/11-07 (1 officer expense) .........................$543.98 Kauai Police Department 09-12/13-07 (1 officer expense) .........................$512.59 Honolulu Police Department 10-14/18-07 (2 officer expense)...... _ ...............$1834.19 Maui Police Department 10-28/30-07 (3 officer expense) ........................$1971.31 Kauai Police Department 11-06/09-07 (3 officer expense) ........................$2202.17 Maui Police Department 11-12/14-07 (1 officer expense) .........................$587.52 Total assistance expense: $24,705.04 ~w..- 3 Breakdown of Island Eradication; per diem for outside district participation: East Hawaii mission 03-19/21-07 (2 officers) .....................................$480.00 East Hawaii mission 05-02104-07 (2 officers) ....................................$551.70 East Hawaii mission 08-22/24-07 (1 officer) .....................................$270.00 East Hawaii mission 09-04/05-07 (1 officer) .....................................$157.50 East Hawaii mission 1 1-26/28-07 (2 officer) .....................................$540.00 Total Island Eradication per diem expense: $1999.20 Breakdown of Semi-Annual meeting; travel and per diem: (to attend Statewide DCE/SP planning meetings) DCE/SP meeting Maui 02-06/07-07 (5 officers). 32058.56 DCE/SP meeting Kona 06-26/27-07 (2 officers, 1 statistical clerk). $516.00 DCE/SP meeting Kauai 12-11/12-07 (2 officers) ...................................$1053.60 Saw Total Semi-Annual meeting expense: $3628.16 Breakdown of Certification Training; travel & per diem: Basic Helicopter Rappel Certification 05-22/25-07 ....................................$3120.50 Volcano National Park (8 officer per diem, 5 of which SRT officers) Narcotic Canine Handler Certification 07-17/08-03-07 ................................$2642.02 Honolulu (1 officer+ I canine) Total certification expense: $5762.52 Other Travel expense: Expense for Hawaii Police Department officer to travel to Washington DC to receive National Marijuana Eradication Award & recognition of his outstanding performance related to marijuana investigations he conducted in 2006 ..............................$1504.42 4 S/W drug recovery l~ 2007 DRUGS RECOVERED WITH USE OF SEARCH WARRANT (HAWAII COUNTY-WIDE) In 2007, Hawaii County Police while conducting 230 separate drug investigations utilized one or more search warrants (per investigation) signed by a State Judiciary Judge to recover drugs. Warrants were served on residences, property, vehicles, packages/containers, and persons. The following is the breakdown of what type of drugs were recovered during these 230 investigations: Single Drug Recovery Marijuana Only: 74 investigations Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice) Only: 66 investigations Cocaine Only: 2 investigations Heroin Only: I investigation Steroid Only: 2 investigations Illegal possession of prescription medications: 2 investigations (Valium, Oxycontin, Hydrocodone, etc) Marijuana along with other Drug Marijuana/Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice): 51 investigations Marijuana/Cocaine: 5 investigations Marijuana/Heroin: 4 investigations Marijuana/Hashish: 4 investigations Marijuana/Illegal prescription medications: 3 investigations Marijuana/Psilocybin (mushrooms) 1 investigation Marijuana + two or more illegal drugs: 12 investigations (Ice, cocaine, heroin, LSD, Psilocybin etc.) fir.. Total Marijuana "drug combination": 80 investigations 1 2007 DRUGS RECOVERED WITH USE OF SEARCH WARRANT (continued) Drug Combinations not involving marijuana Heroin/Cocaine: 1 investigation Crystal Methamphetamine/Cocaine: 2 investigations Crystal Methamphetamine/Illegal prescriptions: 1 investigation Total of 154 out of 230 search warrant drug investigations resulted in the recovery of marijuana. Out of these 154 marijuana related, 70 involved the cultivation of marijuana on a property or at a residence. Of 70 "marijuana cultivation" investigations, a total of 17 resulted in the recovery of an illegal firearm (felon in possession, unregistered firearm, stolen, prohibited from owning, serial number defaced, illegal modification). A total of 46 such firearms were recovered from marijuana growers in 2007. r^` Of 70 "marijuana cultivation" investigations, a total of 15 involved an active State of Hawaii "medicinal marijuana" permit holder. Out of the 15, only one investigation involved parties in compliance (No arrests or recovery made in the specific case, on file two permits listed but upon service of warrant three permits were produced). The remaining 14 investigations involved violations of the terms of the medicinal marijuana law. Synopsis of the 14 medicinal violators is provided on the following page. *The medicinal marijuana law allows a permit holder to possess a total of seven marijuana plants, (three of which are mature and four immature) along with a total of 3 ounces of dried marijuana per permit. 2 g^ 2007 DRUGS RECOVERED WITH USE OFSEARCH WARRANT (continued) Medicinal Marijuana Violators: • 199 marijuana plants, 75.65 pounds of dried marijuana, 2 pounds of hashish, 18.8 grams of psilocybin mushrooms (1 medicinal permit) • 301 marijuana plants, 2.38 pounds dried marijuana. 1.5 grams cocaine, 14 hits of LSD (1 medicinal permit) • 251 marijuana plants, 1.7 pounds dried marijuana, 13 illegal firearms (1 medicinal permit) • 74 marijuana plants, 1.43 ounces dried marijuana (1 medicinal permit) • 172 marijuana plants, 1.5 pounds dried marijuana, 9.3 grams hashish (2 medicinal permits) • 63 marijuana plants (1 medicinal permit) • 158 marijuana plants, 3 illegal firearms (1 medicinal permit) • 47 marijuana plants, 7.24 ounces dried marijuana, suspect also arrested for outstanding warrant of arrest (1 medicinal permit) • 21 marijuana plants, 3.74 pounds dried marijuana, (1 medicinal permit) • 63 marijuana plants, 3.77 ounces dried marijuana (I medicinal permit) • 4 marijuana plants, 51.2 grams dried marijuana, 97 pills of illegally possessed prescription drugs, 1 illegal firearm (1 medicinal permit) *search warrant obtained after marijuana sold from residence, traffic stop conducted on suspect vehicle resulted in recovery of 39.3 grams of dried marijuana (violation.to possess marijuana outside of property) • 148 marijuana plants, 15.62 ounces dried marijuana (1 medicinal permit) • 10 marijuana plants, 9.59 ounces dried marijuana, 6.1 grams of hashish (3 medicinal permits) *search warrant obtained after hashish sold from residence • 117 marijuana plants, 23.56 pounds dried marijuana, 32.3 grams hashish, 2 hits of LSD (2 medicinal permits) 3 Marijuana arrests 2007 MARIJUANA ARRESTS AND ASSOCIATED OFFENSES (HAWAII COUNTY-WIDE) In 2007 Hawaii County Police arrested a total of 542 persons for marijuana offenses. This is further separated into 447 adult offenders and 95 juvenile offenders. The following is a breakdown of other offenses they were also arrested for at the time. The numbers reflect an individual person on a specific date, for instance if a suspect was arrested for five separate marijuana offenses on a specific date, it would be counted as one arrest and not five. If this same individual was arrested for an additional marijuana offense(s) on another date during the year, (not related to the previous) it was counted as another arrest. The following does not include what other offenses a person arrested for marijuana has had in their past and is specific to only the date of marijuana arrest. The other offense categories listed may overlap (example: a person arrested for marijuana along with firearm offense, and traffic offense would show up being counted in the firearm category as well as traffic category.) 447 Adult Arrests for Marijuana ~.r Marijuana possession only: 178 persons Other non-marijuana drug possession: 153 persons (example: crystal methamphetamine, cocaine) Illegal gun/firearm offense: 46 persons (Felon in possession, unregistered, stolen) Operating vehicle under Influence of Intoxicant: 36 persons (*29 are DUI-Liquor related, 7 DUI-Drug related) Outstanding arrest warrant (Contempt/Faiture to Appear): 32 persons Traffic offense (misdemeanor and above): 26 persons Liquor offense (excluding OVII): 14 persons Possession of deadly weapon: 6 persons (switchblade knife, brass knuckles etc.) Abuse Family/Household member: 5 persons 1 2007 MARIJUANA ARRESTS AND ASSOCIATED OFFENSES (continued) ~rr 447 Adult Arrests for Marijuana (continued) Disorderly Conduct: 4 persons Terroristic Threatening: 4 persons Prostitution: 4 persons Theft: 4 persons Resisting Arrest: 4 persons Unsworn Falsesification: 2 persons Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle: 2 persons (Auto Theft) Reckless Endangering: 2 persons Unauthorized Entry into Motor Vehicle: 1 person Burglary: I person Littering: I person Harassment: 1 person Trespassing: I person Criminal Property Damage: 1 person Robbery: 1 person Cruelty to Animals: I person Kidnapping: 1 person (*Total amount of marijuana with other offense arrests is 269 persons) 2 - 2007 MARIJUANA ARRESTS AND ASSOCIATED OFFENSES (continued) film 95 Juvenile Arrests for Marijuana Marijuana possession only (reported by school authorities): 55 persons Marijuana possession only (non school related): 19 persons Truancy: 4 persons Shoplifting: 3 persons Runaway: 4 persons Liquor offense: 2 persons Unauthorized Control of Propelled vehicle: 2 persons Other non-marijuana drug possession: 2 persons Traffic Offense (misdemeanor and above): 2 persons Burglary: 1 person Outstanding Arrest Warrant (Contempt/Fail to Appear): 1 person Theft (Other then shoplifting): I person Possession of deadly weapon: 1 person Beyond Parental Control: I person Illegal gun/firearm offense: 1 person (*Total amount of marijuana with other offense arrests is 21 juveniles) ~.r 3 MJ/violence articles NEWS MEDIA ARTICLES DOCUMENTING MARIJUANA & VIOLENCE The following are newspaper and internet downloads that document that marijuana cultivator's both are victims of violence and are perpetrators of violence (To dispel the myth that "marijuana is never related to violence") A synopsis of what these articles describe: Local news articles • Hawaii Tribune Herald article of the November 11, 1991 (Veteran day) shooting in Fern Forest in which one man was shot and killed and another man shot but survived. A review of this case showed that it involved a total of four men, two shooters and two victims. Detectives investigating this murder determined that it began as a dispute over entering private property for illegal marijuana cultivation. One of the shooting victims had been beaten several day prior to the shooting and this was an escalation of the situation. The end result of this case was the suspect who killed another was not prosecuted; it was ruled "self defense". Another suspect was convicted in the case. • Hawaii Tribune Herald and Honolulu Star Bulletin article of trial involving suspect of May 6, 2002 double homicide in Fern Acres. This case involved a group of four friends, with two conspiring to murder the other two over drugs. The two murder victims were involved with the designer drug AMT and in the early stages of setting up an elaborate indoor marijuana growing operation. Following the execution of the two victim's, suspects stole both marijuana plants and AMT drugs from the residence. Suspect McGovern states that victims had been planning an expensive hydroponics system for growing marijuana and had "thousands and thousands and thousands" of dollars worth of equipment. He returns to the crime scene later specifically to take the grow lights. • Hawaii Tribune Herald article of the law enforcement shooting on October 08, 2007 in California, involving a former Big Island man. This case documents the connection between marijuana, "hard drugs" (crystal methamphetamine) and firearms. Hilo Vice officers originally arrested suspect in 2005 for 108.6 grams of crystal methamphetamine "ice", suspect upon release failed to show up for court and $50,000 bail warrant issued for him. He was located in California tending to a marijuana grow operation and when officer attempted to arrest him he pulled a shotgun and was shot and killed by law enforcement. err NEWS MEDIA ARTICLES DOCUMENTING MARIJUANA & VIOLENCE `err' Mainland news articles • Morningsun article of the five-day law enforcement standoff during September 2001 in Michigan which ended with two separate shootings of suspects involved in marijuana cultivation. One suspect Grover Crosslin, the owner of a campground known as "Rainbow Farm" was a marijuana advocate who became upset at the aspect of having his property seized following an arrest for marijuana & firearms offense. He is stated to have skipped out of his bail hearing, went to his property began to burn down buildings and fire shots at news helicopters and unmarked police planes flying overhead. He was fatally shot during the standoff after pointing his rifle at a FBI agent. The second suspect was shot the following day after also pointing a rifle at a law enforcement officer. • DOJ news release of an October 2007 Federal indictment of three suspects in the September 2006 double murder in Missouri. This case involved suspects murdering two victims associated with their 3,000 plant marijuana cultivation operation located on a farm concealed by corn. • Seattle Post article of the September 14, 2006 murder in Washington of a marijuana grower by his partner in the marijuana operation. Both the suspect and victim were Southeast Asian marijuana traffickers who have settled in Washington operating sophisticated indoor marijuana grows set up in homes located in middle class suburbs. Article goes into more detail about spread of these types of marijuana growing operations in the State. • San Francisco Chronicle article and Pittsburg Police Report of the January 9, 2007 murder of a "PC World" magazine senior editor who had an indoor marijuana grow at his residence in California. Rex Farrance (the victim) was at his residence when four masked men kicked in his front door and demanded money, the editor ran for a gun and was shot, dying from his injury later at the hospital. It was reported that he was involved in marijuana cultivation at his residence with his 19-year old son who had a prescription for marijuana. By law it allowed a total of 12 marijuana plants, however 109 were found at the time of the murder. The police report speculates that the violent home-invasion robbery & murder was based on suspect's knowledge of marijuana operation within the residence intent upon getting marijuana and cash in the heist. NEWS MEDIA ARTICLES DOCUMENTING MARIJUANA & VIOLENCE Mainland news articles (continued) • Denverpost and New York Times articles on murder of well-known Denver medicinal-marijuana provider and advocate on February 17, 2007 at his residence. Ken Gorman was an outspoken advocate who flaunted his ability to grow marijuana legally not even bothering to cover his windows to conceal his indoor grow. He was robbed more then a dozen times at his home due to his marijuana operation, and had recently purchased a handgun. A statement from the article states "in recent years, he had grown frightened as the mainstream medicine of cannabis care bumped against the unregulated and violent terrain of the illicit drug market" 'fir Man shot to death; another wounded .in Puna subdivision- s Police are still at this time. Detectives, how- ever, have not had a chance to trying,to sort out talk to the man in the hospital, sequence of events he said. Police believe that more than one person fired a gun but a By. Crystal Kus motive has not been established, Tdwne-Herald Rodillas said. Police received a report of the One man is dead and another shooting from a person in the, wounded after a shooting in area, Rodillas said. Fern Forest yesterday morning. When Puna police arrived in Detectives this morning were the Puna • subdivision in Glen- sorting out the sequence of wood, they found Clarence Ka- events of the 10:37 a.m. shoot- lani Smith, 30. itig that left 30-year-old Clar- The 19-year-old suspect was -ence Kalani Smith dead. seen leaving the area and police Police also found at the scene pursued him after spotting his a 34-year-old man with gunshot vehicle. wounds to his left Ipwer leg and lie sus t left the. area, went - buttocks a'r`ea. up the Volcano Highway and The wounded man, who has ended up at the Mauna Loa Es- not been identified, was taken to talcs subdivision in Volcano. Hilo Hospital where be under- Puna police asked for assis- went surofy. He was reported Lance in apprehending the sus- in -satisfactory condition. pect from Hawaii Volcanoes Na- Police arrested a 19-year-old tional Park rangers who are also man -who fled the scene and led law enforcement ours. officers-- on a 45-minute chase The suspect then went diving that ended in Volcano.' into some bushes before being Two rifles and a handgun apprehended by police. were recovered by police at the - He was arrested on suspicion scene.. of attempted murder and several traffic violations including neck Lt. Francis Rodillas said that less driving and resisting an or- detectives are in the process of der to stop. No charges have ~r interviewing all those involved been filed and the investigation ..and no one else is being sought is continuing. Hawaii Tribune Herald November 27, 2003 McGovern led police to location of bodies By Chris Loos Nn.inutto said \llct~canl potter Pouf Tribune-Herald NIcGoccrn h;ich Io the I:crn John McGovcru shol,t rtl ;\cres home 401crr roonlomleN police Mwic he and KNIc Wcr Ie) i\lan M;tlhcson ;md 2Cngy '1'hurslon Hill dunipr,l (ussidv Nimilleti took. both the bodies of their n~.o friciltk had been filled. There, after shooting police \ideotaped a reconsrruc- them to death. Hon of McGovcrn's actions. a police deter- I'roscculors plan to show file tier testified lien the rrcnnslrut lion Video \Vcdnrsd:ry. later in the tnal I)clcctive ~IcGuvcut, I't. i. climped Richard %cilh firs) degree nntnler', ncko Mivantolo counts of second-drgrve nxn- s;Iid that thr dcr, auUt IhCIY and a firearms day aflrr McGOVERN vinlafion. Ile has pleaded not McGovern guilty Io all counts Wcdnes(a)' Ilse lump sa Ak a(lntillCtl ,nlvcnn•nI in rhr May 2W2 douhlc sl;i_vings, he thr ct,nclusit,n t,l a Mas t11. µ'Cnl with police on a rccon- .{)u_. ulrnraprd iotcnn•sV nt sTUCtion lour. "Ile showed us MII,1) Mrl mrrn mid Mreanu' the trail and pointed out the :ue;t I" hr .Ind Hill shot NInthestm Mbar the bodies NVCrr lirund." See McGOVERN Pagt, AW 77 73 L C G CU C y' L U U N C 'JU y y G CJ 3 y cL L i L C ~ i 2 v i L r. L C l u •p LL U- ~ .y TJ C L L r :d ~ L b c~ C '7 L C Op._ Y ~ T. GU . U C r S r l O L C C U "O U U„ U C .0 _ ; r = r. 'J = C c,l ^ ~C O L r .J U r L "U _ y .D C y L y G C r c'„ J^ odu - 5 p C 'O L •O G L L C Y! ? 'O s y V :7 L Y S YfJ J W O.^ C L $ L 'C Y C, y tU. E T y 7 T C `r Y .'yr TL y .c: U O Y ,3 L U t f= C u 0 U 3 U- O U 3 v onv c. u u.c 3 U u.G C c L Y 7 L O v L 3 U C s CD L £ G u 'D u 4 s v :e U c ~.~L~.~ LESuc~~ ~f cF=5~C1 ~t'CL s3 O 'J U -7 L C U L` 7 E ` O U L J L A I L G L - c y 0~ i..U G cL G t y G11 C i= f. G ^J :J v Ql 'J I fJ ^ :d O C v `'Cj FL a G.GC 3 GC u c u v o "lJ C C _ Db U U C O C G 'O t :f C u ~II.C L ••Jy? L :7 i J G O ,C G ! t+ r U 2 5 GL L ~ U U C f. G•C r ` ^J _ "J - v 3 t L G J 'J - J. v L y J C _ U ~J u! J ^ ~ r J •S 'J ~ L G U J U J 'J I G J J r J C J ~ T~ ~ J 1 7 _ C G G \J 'J J,'= 7 y J L X G y J' J r= J ^J ~ I L L" i t r'7 L U'7 .~.J. v C L 7 G- I. G y u G cu'J G J t- ! .J L Q. 7 J rJ ~ L J ~ ! J .a 6p I ! C ~ - 7 T C C C~ L U Lj ~ l~ 'O L V G_- y u ~ I .Y~~'OLL U/JECL ~_i JL ~~011~L'V ^'l77.GFV LL • W 7^ J J J J _ J J 'G rl G L L U _ b _ 7! _ r - 114W Z Honolulu Star-Bulletin Hawaii News Page 1 of 4 Starbuth"46n.com Wednesday, December 10, 2003 --Advertisements-- Murderer recounts Ads byGooale 2 shootings A Big Isle man testifies how he and another man killed for drugs By Peter Serafin Special to the Star-Bulletin LoCarbDiner CORRECTION for Bread Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 Low Garb breads, bagels, rolls, » The last name of attorney Keith Shigetomi was misspelled as Shigetome yesterday in a Page A3 article. tortillas, crackers, muffins, yum! The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and w .LocarbDiner com accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewaterga starbutletin.com. HILO Confessed murderer Kyle Zengy Hill testified yesterday that he and John McGovern shot and killed two friends in a rural Puna subdivision south of Hilo. In a firm, clear voice, Hill recounted how he and McGovern planned and carried out the execution- style shootings of Cassidy --Advertisements-- Matthew Toole and Wesley Alan Matheson in May 2002 to steal the victims' drugs. httn•//etnrhulletin rnm/?0n1/1')/1(1/nrwc/ctnrvR lhtml 1/11 /~nn0 Honolulu Star-Bulletin Hawaii News Page 2 of 4 Hill has pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and weapons charges in the slayings. He testified yesterday in McGovern's first-degree " murder trial in Hawaii District Court as part of a plea agreement that would give Hill life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. According to Hill's testimony, the two hatched their plot a few days earlier, after visiting Toole and COURTESY OEHAWAII TRIBUNE- Matheson's house. HERALD Kyle Hill took the stand Hill said that Matheson yesterday in Hilo to testify for possessed alpha- the prosecution against his methyltryptamine (AMT), a former friend, John "manmade designer drug." McGovern. He testified that he and McGovern decided to "get a gun, go out to their house and kill them for the drugs. We'd get rid of the bodies and take the drugs to our house." "I'd shoot Wes," said Hill, "then give the gun to John and he'd shoot Cas." Initially Hill only wanted to steal the drugs, he said, but McGovern insisted on killing them because "we don't want them coming back after us." Hill, then 19, described how he and McGovern, then 18, began hitchhiking to Toole and Matheson's house, with McGovern carrying his .22 caliber rifle in a duffle bag. After they arrived at the victims' house, Hill and McGovern began target shooting in the yard, he testified. They shot about 25 rounds outside, then joined the other two men in the house. "I asked Wes to come outside and show me the chameleon in the cage. I picked up the gun on the way out and shot him in the back of the neck," Hill said. He went inside and gave the rifle to McGovern, who shot Toole while he sat on the couch. Honolulu Star-Butletin Hawaii News Page 3 of 4 "Then I reloaded the gun," said Hill, "and went outside to see if Wes was alive." He testified Toole was lying on his back, convulsing, but he "couldn't shoot him again." "I gave the gun to John and he shot Wes," said Hill. He said they laid a tarp in Toole's van and threw the bodies in. They drove to an isolated lot a few blocks away and dragged the bodies into the brush. After a stop at the local garbage dump to get rid of the bloody tarp, they returned to the victims' house, Hill said. "John found a small quantity of AMT in the refrigerator," testified Hill. "We also took some keiki pakalolo plants and left in (Matheson's) Honda." The two fled to Kona, Hill said, intending to establish an alibi that they were in West Hawaii. Driving back home the next day, Hill said they slid off the road near South Point, crashed the car and eventually made their way back to Puna via a combination of public bus and hitchhiking. v "We went back to finish robbing the house. We took a barbecue grill, rugs, house things, pakalolo plants," he said. They returned to the house "three or four times," taking the stolen goods back to their house in Toole's van. Matheson's mother offered a reward for information on her son's disappearance. Hill, hoping to collect the $3,000, met with her at the end of May and drew her a map to the bodies. Police arrested Hill on June 5, 2002. He pleaded guilty in November 2002, with a sentencing date pending. McGovern's attorney, Keith Shigetome, will continue cross- examining Hill today. 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Submit Yours! Sp HOME NEWS SPORIS ENTERTAINMENT LIVING COMMUNITY SHOPPING EXTRAS INTERACT Subscribe • Pare an Online Ad NEWS , _ AA , _~t UP2aa,2 j Home > usworld > Standoff comes to deadly conclusion SBarCh fn r JOGS Wed, Sep 05, 2001 TOP JOBS Standoff comes to deadly conclusion Part-Trine Ai7tromers Association Outreach Coordinator VANDALIA, Mich. (AP) A standoff at a campground for marijuana advocates ended in its fifth day Tuesday with a second Pitt Plastics. Inc. would man fatally shot by police after allegedly pointing a weapon at an officer. love for you to be our next USD 247 is accepting applications for the Rolland Rohm, 28, had been ordered several times to put his weapon down, Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. following... said. He lived at the campground, called Rainbow Farms, with 47-year-old Grover T. Crosslin, the campground's owner Radio Sales Account Manager Crosslin was fatally shot Monday night by an FBI agent after pointing a rifle at the agent, Underwood said. Crosslin had Do YOU Love Music. been facing felony drug and weapons charges. SPORTS.. Sales Opportunity Do you wantto make $75K,7 Officials said a third man, Brandon J. Peoples, suffered minor injuries when Crosslin was shot and was being questioned Fletcher. View All Ads Early Tuesday, Rohm had said he would surrender at 7 a.m. if his son were brought to see him, Underwood said. The sheriff said police were in the process of granting the request when a fire was reported at the compound shortly after 6 a,m, TOP HOMES and Rohm was seen leaving the residence with a Jong gun. TOP AUTOS About a half-hour later, Underwood said, police ordered Rohm to drop the weapon, but he pointed it at the officer. We were actually having a dialogue with Mr. Rohm and he was in the process, we felt, of bringing this to a successful conclusion," Underwood said. A bomb squad was checking the campground after the shooting. "It's our understanding that the campground has been booby-trapped," Underwood said. Rainbow Farm's Web site says the campground "supports the medical, spiritual, and responsible recreational uses of marijuana for a more sane and compassionate America." The standoff began Friday when deputies went to the farm after neighbors said Crosslin was burning buildings on the property, which is the target of civil forfeiture proceedings. Crosslin reportedly warned neighbors to leave the area because "all hell was going to break loose." Dori Leo, Crosslin's and Rohm's attorney, said Rohm and his 12-year-old son, who was recently placed in foster care, had lived with Crosslin at least five years. Leo said Crosslin was upset because Rohm's son, whom he helped raise, had been taken from the home. Authorities alleged Crosslin shot a news helicopter from WNDU-TV in nearby South Bend, Intl., as it flew overhead Friday. Shots also were fired at an unmarked state police plane Saturday but missed, police said. Both aircraft landed safely. Deputies said they believe Crosslin was upset about a bond revocation hearing scheduled for Friday, which he did not attend. It was set because police said he had held a festival at the campground in violation of the terms of his release on bond after previous drug and weapons charges. Crosslin was arrested in May over allegations of marijuana use at his 34-acre campground and charged with felony hlt,.•/b,,..~., r,..,;,, rte„r .,Af/~f.,,•;P~/noncnt noncnt nr»o clf, l n/2 nnno Standoff comes to deadly conclusion I MorningSun.net Page 2 of 2 possession of a firearm, growing marijuana and maintaining a drug house. Crosslin had said he bought the property about 15 years ago to support marijuana advocacy. loll Buzz Daily, 44, a farmer who had known Crosslin and Rohm for about five years and attended several festivals at the campground, said the pair were known for their generosity. Daily said they would drive into Vandalia at Christmas and distribute gifts, and would buy food and clothes for people at the campground. "I am heartbroken," Daily said. "I don't think they went into this trying to hurt anyone." 6 a Rohm's stepfather, John Livermore, said the family is considering a lawsuit against police and federal agents. F . Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Risko defended the shootings, and said Rohm was repeatedly ordered to put down his gun. i "In each occasion both subjects pointed firearms at officers, and I don't know what else you would have officers do," Risko said. 1 ARTICLE LINKS: Print This Paoe f Email This Article I Blog This I Digg Tills I Add To Del pio.Us BLOGS NATIONAL NEWS About Mountain tons unlikely to be found m SEK I THE MORNING SUN States may free inmates to save millions All. Bomb suspect had mental illnesses tl - By blgkahuna t0 dead in Re fire, 9 from 1 family King friends recall day of assassination L---- About Grubb inks with Kansas Cremations halted after families speak 1Nc'.onsm standoff ends with surrender L Wesleyan I THE MORNING SUN View All Headlines By. coachmacl ~ o well it is spring Now is the time utt By jimbo33a a EERE, aD e It you have questions of suggestions Contact Us POP CULTURE PEN.","YO ADVENT~'-RS 25 counting Spam Home Jobs I Classifieds I Taikback Site Map ; RIBS Feeds Pdvacv Policy I Contact Us ' 2008 Morning San httn•//www mnrninnsun-net/stnries/0901 01/rnsw 0905(110079 shtml d/2nnn4 Page I of 2 NEWS RELEASE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI JOHN F. WOOD Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs • (816) 426-4220 • 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 • Kansas City, MO 64106 www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html OCTOBER 9, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT FOR TWO MURDERS RELATED TO MARIJUANA CONSPIRACY KANSAS CITY, Mo. - John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that three defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury for the murders of two men who were found shot to death near a marijuana growing operation in Daviess County, Mo., in September 2006. Those defendants, along with a fourth man, were also indicted on other drug-trafficking and firearms charges related to a conspiracy to manufacture marijuana. Jhanmay Molina-Perez, 28, of Kansas City, Mo., Jorge Alberto Texier Delgado, 36, of Miami, Fla., Jose Beritan, 34, of Chula Vista, Calif, and Frank Diaz, 31, of Miami, Fla., were charged in a seven-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Oct.2, 2007. That superseding indictment, which replaces an earlier federal indictment and includes additional murder charges, was unsealed and made public today following the arrests of Molina-Perez, Delgado and Beritan. "Today's indictment is the result of a lengthy and thorough investigation," Wood said. "I commend the FBI agents who worked so diligently for the past year, and our law enforcement partners at the state and local level whose involvement was instrumental to a successful investigation." The federal indictment alleges that Molina-Perez and Beritan aided and abetted each other and others in the use of a firearm in relation to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, and in so doing, murdered Pedro Corrales on Sept. 6, 2006. The indictment also alleges that Molina-Perez and Diaz aided and abetted each other and others in the use of a firearm in relation to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, and in so doing, murdered Arnaldo Valdes on Sept. 6, 2006. According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint that was filed against Molina-Perez on Sept. 8, 2006, a neighbor heard the sound of gunshots and discovered the bodies of Corrales and Valdes laying on the ground near the barn. A field behind the residence, the affidavit says, was partially planted in corn in an apparent attempt to conceal approximately 3,000 marijuana plants ranging from 6 to 12 feet tall. All four of the co-defendants are charged with participating in a conspiracy to manufacture marijuana from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2006. All four of the co-defendants are also charged with aiding and abetting each other to attempt to manufacture 1,000 or more marijuana plants. All four of the co-defendants are charged with aiding and abetting each other to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. The indictment alleges they were in possession of a Browning 12-gauge shotgun, a Marlin 30/30 lever action rifle, a Marlin semi-automatic .22-caliber rifle, an SKS 7.62X39 rifle, a Remington 20-gauge shotgun and a Cobray CM-119 in furtherance of their conspiracy to manufacture marijuana. All four of the co-defendants are also charged Page 2 of 2 with aiding and abetting each other to possess a Riverside Arms 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun in furtherance of the r marijuana conspiracy. tir Molina-Perez is also charged with managing or controlling the Daviess County property near Cameron, Mo., that was used for the marijuana growing operation. Wood cautioned that the charges contained in the indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt orinnocence. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregg R. Coonrod and Charles Ambrose. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Metro Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Daviess County, Mo., Sheriff's Department, the Cameron, Mo., Police Department, the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department, NITRO (the Northwest Missouri Interagency Team Response Operation), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, with assistance from the Daviess County, Mo., Prosecutor's Office. This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available on-line at www.usdoj. ov/usao/mow/index.html Pot industry taking violent turn for worse Page 1 of 4 WESTERN _ See who else in your family nrVerv}kajtLCt~a r( WASHINGTON - f-j ancestrvi oln start in<tay x *TOYOTA DEALERV- MomSeattle DadSeattle SPI My SeattlePix My account search Our network rtes -!fadttiepi com Local US/World Sports Business A&E Life Comics Photos Opinion Blogs Subscribe Buy Ads Jobs Autos Homes Rentals NWsource LOCAL ....a„.«,...,.. _t- ~..~....«..~n....,.,..^. Mill r~, sac ~kiil:,i C It The Everett Clinic Last updated October 5, 2007 11 18 p m. PT Q E-mail this V Pant th s Q RSS INSIDE SEATTLEPI.COM Pot industry taking violent turn for worse Southeast Asian traffickers set up shop here Emu and top headlines 10 By LEVI PULKKINEN Congress presses oil P-I REPORTER - execs on high prices "',2. Foreclosure relief bill " clears hurdle When Renton police arrived at the aging home a year ago, they found Day in Pictunr es David Horsey Fashion Bank news, mild ecan. two men and a scene becoming increasingly common in King County's Pups amok and Taking shoot Photos from data boost stocks middle-class suburbs an intricate marijuana-growing operation more orders from India and Russia . Clinton likens herself co Iraqis 'Rocky' Locked in the basement. . Mugabe aides discuss ID EF ceding Eleven months later, one of the men arrested at the house 30-year- 5 r - mre power old Duc Van Nguyen was dead, shot, stabbed and beaten in another Pr~~ a1${ -.r.t house rife with pot plants. His killer, prosecutors say, is his former ap, odd news lJ accomplice, Tri Minh Vol. u Harvard Lampoon sends i up Geographic The slaying, along with a double killing in Everett earlier this year, has xk`•K ^ .Icy. snakes seized as some in law enforcement concerned that Southeast Asian marijuana - s owner loses fingers traffickers who have set up shop in Western Washington are now , d Angry man all pc damages car wash ash turning to violence. . Dog chases deer into . IgLA Wis. living complex "I've been real surprised by the murders in Everett and this last one," [ Cops: Man robs S.C. said Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Whalley, who oversees the Seattle ' bank after bad check office's criminal enterprises unit. "We've kind of escaped that kind of °x a .4 rya more violence here in the Northwest." Sp t t most read Police: Couple covered Police had gone Oct. 16 to the two-story house looking for a woman n y, believed to be DEC Van Nguyen's longtime girlfriend, Tina Nguyen. The a ~y 1 y - up theft with Craigslist woman had called 911 minutes before, spoke a little in a language that rH 4'lt t , - PParachute not train D.B. wasn't English and hung up, prompting the dispatcher to send in three Cooper, says man who police officers.. - provided the chutes fi - Effort in Olympia to keep Officers who descended into the basement of the Aberdeen Avenue weeks was in works for weeks Northeast house were met by blinding white lights designed to support Found parachute the 180 marijuana plants sown in pots around the room. Police arrested tf 'absolutely' not D.B. DEC Van Nguyen and Vo, who were living in the house and tending Coopers, says man who $90,000 worth of the illicit crop, a ` packed his { v- r rH:' Not too bad a debut for . f4 'u, r1A On Sept. 14, Duc Van Nguyen was gunned down at a Covington-area ' ^sr M's latest mound savior Bedard house packed with pot plants. King County prosecutors have filed first- ,k a~ more degree murder charges against Vo, 24, in the killing. ta` ' most is mailed Vo is also accused of beating Tina Nguyen so severely that she later fell Deformed beaks mean into a coma that day, then leaving her bound with plastic flex ties in the slow starvation for house for two days. Police found more than 300 marijuana plants in a ` region's birds; cause a growing operation similar to the one at the Renton house that Vo and , mystery J Consumer Smarts: Steps the Nguyens shared. to take if your identity is compromised DEC Van Nguyen's slaying came two months after Everett residents " y,p_ Recycling in Seattle Kevin Meas and Lisa Nguyen were gunned down at a house packed with made easier, likely more pot plants. Everett police say a lack of cooperation by associates of - - expensive Meas and Lisa Nguyen has hindered the investigation of the unsolved LOCAL MEAOLIN ES pualize this : A new Seattle's plans for future shaped by climate park for Ballard dOEbe killing. change still in infancy Even in somber mood, . Effort in Olympia to keep 5onics was in works the Boss still rocks Most of the marijuana produced in Washington is planted outside on for weeks more swaths of forest and farmland east of the Cascades. But law Seattle gets mixed report on graduation rates enforcement officials say they're seeing an increase in the number of Visualize this: A new park for Ballard popular soundoffs Recycling in Seattle made easier, likely more Metro buses are fuller complex, indoor growing operations similar to those found in British . expensive and later Columbia. . Questioning of Jewish chanty shooting suspect . 1-1000 campaign seeks in dispute to sell Voters on death After the security crackdown that followed the Sept. 11 attacks, many Adapt U.S. Constitution .,..,..,.,,.,.o,.,..,,n,.,..,t/z~nccc .,:o...,..nAI,+_I n/t/mnrvn, Pot industry taking violent turn for worse Page 2 of 4 Canadian pot traffickers looked to establish themselves in Western Snohomish Countys di -deck bus a hit, so to 21st century reality Washington to avoid losing their product to border agents, said Dave it wants more . RecyUing in Seattle Rodriguez, a regional director with the Office of National Drug Control Alaska Ranger crewman says he smelled booze made easier, likely more after sinking expensive Policy, whose department monitors drug supplies in the Northwest and Local Tibetans excited about Dalai Lama's Visit . Iraq war: A failure to helps coordinate law enforcement efforts. The Dalai Lama's Visit to Seattle, at a glance govern State joins ant-smoking campaign „more Southeast Asian drug traffickers monopolized and expanded British Parents indicted in child's death after alleged Columbia's indoor growing industry, Rodriguez said. In mid-2005, he faith-healing said, the traffickers started doing the same in Washington. more Help/troubleshoot Customize headlines My account "From our perspective, Vietnamese organized crime pretty much made AP LOCAL HEADLINES a concerted effort to take over the indoor grow operation," he said. . Paine Field public housing residents evicted for "They've kind of carved out that niche as their expertise." development . Group hopes to privately finance new Seattle OUR AFFILIATES Rodriguez said police started seeing more indoor growing operations arena Group hopes to privately finance new Seattle nw,, rc0 >t two years ago. In 2006, 225 such operations were hit by local and arena federal authorities well above the norm, Rodriguez said, of 30 to 35 Boe,ner awarded $IM m legal fees over raids each year. secretly taped phone cal j ev Hill: McDermott owes $1 million for secretly taped Usually, Whalley said, pot farmers will set up in a split-level house in a phone call suburban neighborhood, then fill the basement with marijuana plants. more Expensive irrigation and lighting systems are set up to feed the plants until they're ready for harvest. AP WEST HEADLINES . Last Aloha flight brings cheers, tears As in the Covington and Renton cases, operators or caretakers often . Feds: Administration will waive rules to build live in the upper story of the house so they can tend their crops. The more border fence growers are usually introduced to the trade by relatives or friends . Three wolves killed in Wyoming within days of already involved in the industry and, once established, run their protection removal . Illegal immigrants seeking new life in US often operations as independent enterprises. die anonymously in Southwest . Observer: Several doors on Alaska Ranger "What we've found is that the members tend to know each other were in poor shape socially," Whalley said. "There's no kingpin, and there's no hierarchy." more Money sometimes as little as $2,000 a month was the draw for SEATTLE BLOGS most of those involved in the operations, Whalley said. The Big Blog Promises of fast cash draw many to the industry, said Nova Cubing By Monica Guzman and other P-1 [~1I Phung, a Seattle resident who has spent 25 years working with editors and staff Indochinese refugees and their children. . Meet the buskers: Psychedelic jungle rock S Phun who emigrated from Vietnam after the war, said the money is now: Another early rApril esources turns force 4. Readers share online resources for Metro riders undermining many of the values particularly a work ethic held in A Strange Bedfellows the Vietnamese community. Many young men, he said, see the drug P-I staff on Seattle politics trade as the quickest way to a flashy car and social status. Pon: McCain could win Washington state "You can see the whole community shifting toward something worse," . Chrurous make new friend said Prong, a former youth social worker. "It's easy money.... These Dicks gets greenie award kids can go out, and they can drive a nicer car than their father." Seattle Real Estate News With the P-I's Aubrey Cohen Many of the dealers buy properties in Vietnam or small businesses in Cash for keys the U.S. - Falling house values Fraud in three easy steps Hong Van Nguyen a Kent man sentenced last month to 14 years in seattie Tragic prison for trafficking in marijuana and Ecstasy used the proceeds to ey Reporter Larry Lange and other P-[ buy property and a restaurant. staff Y 1-90 back open after brief closure Fremont Bridge closings Tucked off of the East Valley Highway in a nondescript Kent strip mall Viaduct to dose on weekend next to a nail salon and Vietnamese video store, Hong Van Nguyen's - 108 Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine served as his headquarters from which he organized the distribution of thousands of pounds of Michelin' marijuana and raked in millions of dollars, according to court i documents. Primacy" V4 Most of the drug growers' businesses and restaurants are little more tires than ways to legitimize drug earnings, Phung said. 11 Enl the drive "Now, I'm finding it hard to find a good place to eat," Phung said. "These people don't know how to cook." even r .'sbOvi me--7 Police are still trying to determine what role drugs played in this 1, F71 summer's slayings. Sgt. Robert Goetz of the Everett police said detectives interviewing ytiy" people who knew Mess and Lisa Nguyen haven't been provided enough fix== information to determine a motive or identify possible suspects. "It didn't appear that anything was taken out of the house," he said. r.. 11 __-1 __n___rr11ncac t_.__t Pot industry taking violent turn for worse Page 3 of 4 "And it didn't appear that the grow operation was disturbed." In statements to King County Sheriff's Office investigators, Vo said he killed Duc Van Nguyen during an argument that started when Vo told his ex-associate that he wanted out of the marijuana industry. According to police records, Vo said he was rattled by the Renton arrest. Despondent, Vo tried to turn himself in at a Seattle police station hours after the Sept. 14 shooting, but was turned away because he couldn't give police any specifics about the crime. He returned Sept. 16 with a location of the shooting. About the same time, Tina Nguyen freed herself from the Covington- area house where she'd been restrained for two days. King County Sheriff's Office Detective Jon Holland said in a statement to the court that Vo's version of events was at odds with evidence found at the scene. Contrary to Vo's statements, Duc Van Nguyen appeared to have been shot eight times including several times in the head and neck at close range and stabbed. Vo remains in King County Jail on charges of first-degree murder, first- degree attempted murder and drug trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to all charges Thursday at the Regional Justice Center in Kent. Rodriguez, the Office of National Drug Control Policy regional director, said he expects violence to become more common among marijuana producers as the trade becomes more common in Western Washington. "I think we're just starting to see that develop," he said. "And it's probably going to get worse before it gets better," SOUTHEAST ASIAN POT BUSTS Sept. 6, 2006: Feds make the first in a series of arrests as part of an operation targeting Vietnamese marijuana growers in South King County. So far, 26 people have been convicted on evidence gathered during a three-month investigation. Oct. 18, 2006: Federal investigators and local police raid homes in South King County, seizing 4,000 plants and arresting 20 people. Jan. 25: Assisted by state and federal authorities, King County sheriff's detectives seize $5 million worth of marijuana in raids at 12 homes in Federal Way, Renton and Puyallup. April 5: Federal prosecutors file indictments against 11 people believed to be involved in a marijuana-growing ring tied to a Kent garden-supply shop. About 14,930 plants were seized during two years of raids related to the indictment. July 2: Two Everett residents are shot to death at a large marijuana- growing operation. The killings remain unsolved. Sept. 21: King County prosecutors charge Tri Minh Vo in the slaying of a man found dead at a Covington-area home packed with marijuana plants. Vo has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, and to charges that he tried to kill his former associate's girlfriend. Sources: Documents fled in state and federal courts, interviews and police statements. MARIJUANA BY THE NUMBERS • Pounds of marijuana seized in 2006 in Washington: 9,598 • Plants seized at Washington indoor grows, 2003: 23,557 • Plants seized at Washington indoor grows, 2006: 32,440 f••.. • Plants seized in raids at King County indoor grows in 2006: 17,618 • Price paid by traffickers for marijuana grown indoors in the Northwest: About $2,200 per pound Home COntaCt Us' About the PI I Front Page corrections P-1 lobs : Home Delivery F-edition RSS WWI, FF•eds P-1 Reader Submit News NIE 1,H../(oo.,nle.. ---/L,,.,.1/11 ACCC ,_a~,_arlC 1-- 1 Pot industry taking violent turn for worse Page 4 of 4 . Price paid for outdoor-grown marijuana: About $1,800 per pound Sources: National Drug Intelligence Center, court documents P-I reporter Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or levipoikkinen@seattlepi.com. Soundoff (Read 49 comments) What do you think? Q E-mad th,, Save and share this article Q Print tins edelnno.us j[l ©FacebooM nNewsvine Q E-mau newsletters Add P-1 Local headlines to ® R55 nMy web site My yahool E( Google Mare options Puget Sound Real Estate Free NW Listings search. Updated 4x/day. 234,000 home photos, maps! www. Zm Realty.com Living With Colon Cancer Sign Up For A Support Program For Patients To Get Free Tips & Advice, www-xelnda.mm Sharp Tools, Flat Rate Pricing OptlonSHouse, $9.95/Option Trade, $0/Contract Get 50 free trades now! www optlor shause.rom Buy a link here 6 11 i la± iii Wt lfll ff L91 Elliott Ave, W. 51atde, wA 99119 (706) 440-6000 Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or {800) 542 062n seattlepi. Core serves about 13 rnahon unique visitors and 36 million Vale views CaCh month Send cammenrs to newmecl aOseattlepi.com Send investigative lips to iteam®seattlepi.com 'ra99b 20o9 Scuttle Post tntelhgencer Terms of Use/Privacy Policy r~rTZ rrtf+sfs7~ httn://seattleoi.nwsource.com/local/334555 vietr)ot06-htrn] All nnn4 Synopsis of the Rex Farrance Murder Investigation Pittsburg Police Department On Tuesday January 9, 2007 just after 9:00pm, 60-year old Rex Farrance was at his home on Argosy Court in Pittsburg, CA working on his computer while his wife of 16 years, Lenore Vantosh, was asleep in their bedroom. Four masked men, at least one of them armed with a .22 caliber revolver, kicked in their front door, and demanded money. Rex ran to his room in an apparent effort to alert his wife of the robbery and retrieve his personal handgun. He was confronted by the intruders in his bedroom and shot once in the chest. He died an hour later at a local hospital. Rex and his wife had lived on Argosy Court for several years and were considered polite and friendly, but somewhat private according to their neighbors. They had two adult children; their 19 year-old son Sterling maintained a room at the house, but usually stayed with his girlfriend in a neighboring city. Rex was a well-respected senior editor for PC World Magazine. In the Farrance home officers found 109 marijuana plants in different stages of cultivation, 3.7 pounds of cultivated marijuana (mainly consisting of dried stems, branches and leaves), two digital scales, and packaging commonly associated with marijuana sales. Rex and Sterling were heavily involved in marijuana cultivation. In an interview with Sterling, he asserted the marijuana cultivation and consumption were legal under the guidelines of the California Compassionate Use Act (Proposition 215) that was passed by California voters on November 6, 1996. We believe the intruders in this violent home-invasion robbery and murder knew about the marijuana cultivation operation and assumed marijuana and money would be at the house. We have confirmed that a relatively small amount of money (less than $500) and several handguns were taken. We suspect marijuana was also taken, although we have not been able to confirm this because Lenore did not know exactly how much marijuana was on hand at the home. Neither Rex nor Lenore had a prescription to use marijuana. Rex had smoked some marijuana two days prior to his murder on his birthday, but prior to that hadn't smoked in years. Lenore did regularly smoke marijuana to relieve pain, but was afraid that her job as a registered nurse may be in jeopardy if she got a prescription to use marijuana. Sterling did have a prescription to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. He obtained it from a medical doctor at Norcal Healthcare System in Oakland, CA. He had been in a vehicle collision in 2005, which he claimed resulted in residual back pain. He also claimed to have suffered from migraine and tension headaches his entire life so he obtained the prescription, which allowed him to become a card-carrying member of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative; they also issued him a "Growers' Certificate." ~1r. Page 2 CW Prior to getting a prescription for marijuana, Sterling did smoke marijuana on occasion to help alleviate his back pain and chronic headaches. When Sterling purchases marijuana from the cooperatives, he usually goes to the cooperative in Richmond, CA because they are the cheapest. He can buy an eighth of an ounce for $40 in Richmond, as opposed to $60 from the cooperative in Pacheco, CA. He openly suggests that the Pacheco Cooperative is, "There just to take advantage of the law and make money." Rex knew Sterling used marijuana for medicinal purposes and according to Sterling, Rex came up with the idea to grow marijuana so Sterling would not have to spend so much money buying the marijuana at the Cannabis Cooperatives. Rex purchased the necessary equipment to cultivate the marijuana (grow lights, fertilizer, etc...), while Sterling purchased marijuana clones (a branch from a live plant that can be placed in a rooting solution and soil, eventually rooting into a plant.) Sterling admitted that he and his father knowingly grew more plants than they were allowed (12 immature or 6 mature per qualified individual) because they wanted to pick the "best" plants to harvest. They would discard the rest. They clearly had a sophisticated cultivation operation that included a High Pressure Sodium light, fluorescent lights, Mylar reflective sheets, premixed chemical solutions to lower the Ph levels in the local water supply, and a ventilation system including remote electrical ballast. Sterling claimed he learned about marijuana cultivation strategies by talking with people at the Cannabis Cooperatives. Sterling also said he and Rex purposely grew most of the marijuana in the attic as a security measure to hide the operation from anyone of "questionable nature." Sterling claimed some of the plants belonged to another friend who also had a "grower's license," but the friend later denied this and admitted that he and Sterling had conspired to tell this story because Sterling and his father had more plants than they were allowed. The friend, who also has a prescription to use marijuana, occasionally helped manicure the plants, in turn receiving about 12% of the finished product. Sterling would receive about 20% and Rex would keep the rest. The friend also asserted that Sterling got a prescription to smoke marijuana to, "get stoned legally, and to "just get high." The friend openly admitted that Sterling shares his marijuana with other friends who do not have a prescription but just want to "get high." Sterling adamantly denied he or his father sold marijuana to "people on the streets, only to other people with medical marijuana cards, and occasionally to friends." Sterling never registered with the State Department of Health Services, as he can voluntarily do pursuant to SB 420 because he had never heard about the registration program. I%W PITTSBURG / Man slain in home, wife hurt / Family disputes police theory that attack was someh... Page I of 3 COMMUNITY VIDEO PODCASTS PHOTOS RES FEEDS NEWSLETTERS MOBILE lt~yWy ~ we bome.( the i Home Delivery Today vaper Ads 'e' SFGate Web Search by YAHOO! Advanced Search * Sign In I Register Don't Miss: Ferret Lavers Unite! Carri Strip Tease (Pits) Eatery Ratings Rant C-Dub's Big Night Weird: Want Ransom Money? Camp In Paris PITTSBURG SPRING Man slain in home, wife hurt Family disputes police theory that attack was somehow involved with illegal drugs SALE Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer Thursday, January 11, 2007 Rex Farrance was a popular senior editor at PC World magazine in San Francisco, a physical-fitness buff and a i family man known for his enthusiasm for life and his sensitivity to others, friends say. MOST READ MOSTEJMII® TDR $TOMET 1 But according to police, Farrance, 59, was involved with . Hamlcide or swede? Man's death a mystery 2. Reporting vets among 14 laid off at CBS 5-TV illegal drugs and possibly dealing them along with his wife at 3. Mayor has financial holdings at Napa, Tahoe their Pittsburg home. The activity, police said Wednesday, 4. Hands-only CPR greatly increases survival odds led to a home-invasion robbery Tuesday night in which 5. Fremont police standoff with rape suspect at condo complex Farrance was killed and his wife, a registered nurse, was pistol-whipped. 6. Luxury condos in Oakland sell at a discount 7. no, those who think Zito is a bust, here's the However, Farrance's son, Sterling Farrance, 19, blasted the police assertion that his evidence parents were involved with illegal drugs in any way. Sterling Farrance told The Chronicle on Wednesday night that he grew and stored medical marijuana at his Top htos patents' home with his father's permission. - From "I have a prescription. I'm a patient. It was medical," he said. "This one officer I Toyota/Scion of remember at the house, he had this predisposition to think it was all illegal." Alameda DODGE At about 9 p.m. Tuesday, four masked men burst into the Farrance home on Argosy 3007 carayap,_ Court, a usually tranquil cul-de-sac near an elementary school. They fatally shot Rex DODGE 2005 Durango Farrance in the chest and hit his wife in the head with a gun, Pittsburg police Inspector FORD John Conaty said. 2007 Fprus 1 $12,395 Rex Farrance's wife, Lenore Vantosh-Farrance, 56, called 911, but the assailants fled on FORD 2004 GT _ foot before police arrived. No arrests have been made in what investigators said was a GHC - - - targeted attack possibly linked to narcotics. 2005 Yukon $23,595 "We have substantial reason to believe that the victim and his wife were involved in the HONDA possession of and, potentially, the distribution of illegal narcotics," said Comity. He 2004 civic $14,795 declined to specify what type of drug, saying only that a "considerable" amount was - JEEP found in the home. Police also would not say whether the killers took anything from . 2005 o the house. NISSAN 2005 Maxima Vantosh-Farrance was treated at a hospital and released and unavailable for comment. CHRYSLER 2007 .300 Her daughter, Kavita Johnopoulos, 31, also rejected police statements that her mother ,DODGE and stepfather were involved with illegal drugs. 2005 Magnum $14,595 She said she believes Rex Farrance, an avid hunter, was targeted for money and guns I MAZDA because he's a member of the Bay Point Rod and Gun Club. 1 2005 Tribute _ i TOYOTA - ZOOS Camry PITTSBURG / Man slain in home, wife hurt / Family disputes police theory that attack was someh... Page 2 of 3 $14,295 "It's sick that they would do this, that they would give false information on what's TOYOTA going on in that home," Johnopoulos said. zoos Cam, $19,995 Co-workers and friends expressed shock at Rex Farrance's slaying and the alleged ties ,TOYOTA to drugs. 2005 Cam, $15,395 wel ~i "I never went to his house or knew his wife, but he never came across as someone who NISSAN r 2005 Quest would be dealing drugs," said Todd Fong, a former co-worker of Farrance at PC World. $12,995 "Granted, things could have changed and I truly hope the police are wrong in their see sore from this dealer 1 assumptions but the Rex I knew and will always remember was a great person." , Rex Farrance, who turned 59 on Sunday, had been an employee of PC World in San - - - _ „ Francisco for i9 years and was senior technical editor, reviewing online and print About Top Autos articles for technical accuracy. He was also a fitness enthusiast and rock-music View An Top Autos aficionado, friends said. His wife has been a registered nurse in California since 1983 and is employed by Kaiser Permanente, according to acquaintances and public records. Neither Farrance nor his wife has an arrest record, authorities said. PC World officials said Wednesday that they had no knowledge about the drug allegations and described Farrance as a well-liked, model employee. Only one brand is yout best defense "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Rex's untimely death," said Jeff Edman, president and CEO of PC World. "We will miss not only his many II~nUI) contributions, but also his friendship." "We're all in shock here," said Denny Arar, a PC World senior editor. "Rex loved his work. He really cared about covering technology in a way that was useful for readers. He cared a lot about people, period." Kimberly Brinson, PC World's managing editor, said Farrance was a "kind-hearted and ADVERTISERS gracious person who showed tremendous respect for others and their work." 2 for 1 Airfares to Hawai As a technical editor, Farrance was "part teacher, part diplomat, and part historian, 3 eights wart from 5299 roles he served with great sensitivity and humor," Brinson said. ID theft is happening For part of Wednesday, police tape surrounded the couple's yellow, one-story home, everywhere Get Protected which abuts Willow Cove Elementary School. A piece of plywood covered the damaged front door; Farrance's Cadillac was parked in the driveway. Herculano Darosa, 54, who has lived on the street for 24 years, said he often saw Farrancejogging or exercising in the neighborhood. "He looked nice to me," said Darosa, who expressed shock at the police assertion that the couple were involved in drugs. Another neighbor who wished to be identified only as Dan said, "We were absolutely shocked to see the police lights, and we were even more shocked to hear from the police that there was drugs going on. If they were into drugs, then they kept it well- hidden." Chronicle staff writer Jason B. Johnson contributed to this report. E-mail Henry K. Lee at hleee-sfchroniele.cont. this article appeared on page B - 3 of thv San Fnanci5co Ch/omcle Hacc (e) Be the first to share your thoughts on this story. Add Your Comment View Comments _ / - 1 ' - / -a'_t ',ar 1 _ //1/1/ 11/ 1 11 1 T A 11C`111 "I T\ Ir Danger grew along with pot - The Denver Post Page 1 of 2 denverpost.com deriver & the west activists are asked about his death, they talk about pot. Danger grew along with "What Ken did broke every rule," Allen St. Pierre, pot executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said Friday. "He was zealous in a very nonconformist way. He. By Kirk Mitchell would broadcast he was growing marijuana. Denver Post Staff Writer He was almost maniacal." Article Last Updated 03/13/2007 07 1944 AM MDl Unwitting martyrs? The powerful lamps that threw light on some 50 marijuana plants at Ken Gorman's home The 2000 campaign that won Colorado voter were as distracting to neighbors as a blinking approval of Amendment 20, permitting use of neon sign. marijuana for medicinal purposes, was led by ardent activists who were so focused on their Unlike most pot growers, Gorman didn't cause they may not have realized the risks of bother to cover his windows with tar paper to their openness about growing it themselves, St. conceal his lucrative cultivations. And neighbors Pierre said. complained to the cops about the bright lights. "I have sat down with people and asked them, Gorman, 59, was well-known as a medical- 'Do you know what you are doing?"' St. marijuana provider and a spirited advocate for Pierre said. "Some are absolutely naive about the legal pot. Everyone knew what he was doing - product they have." including criminals who robbed him a dozen times, apparently viewing him as easy prey. Their idealism could make them martyrs for a trade still deemed illegal by federal law and Then, on Feb. 17, someone shot Gorman to largely dominated by criminals, he said. death. Amendment 20 allows people with certain Police still haven't said whether Gorman debilitating diseases, including cancer and AIDS, was killed for his pot, or his money. They have no to grow as many as six marijuana plants and to suspects, Denver police spokeswoman Virginia possess up to 2 ounces of pot. But the Colorado Quinones said Friday, adding that the killer did Department of Public Health and Environment not take any of Gorman's marijuana plants. doesn't tell sick people where they can get seeds or marijuana. But when Gorman's fellow marijuana Advertisement denverpost.com Pcxr (303) 832-3232 IN[ 17F'NVI.R denv t.com Subscriptions cost from denverP _ Y - o- 63 cents to $2.50/week - m www.denverpost.com/Subscribe Illaw Print Powered By al Dynamics Danger grew along with pot - The Denver Post Page 2 of 2 denverpost.com ~1t£ DENVER 1k)SI "How many people make their own jam or beer?" marijuana and he had a small operation, St. St. Pierre asked. "People buy it. It's the Pierre said. same with marijuana." "Thirty-three square feet of lit soil in a closet The Colorado law allows qualified sick people to can lead to strong-arm robbery and murder;" he designate caregivers to grow the marijuana for said. them, and people like Gorman grow large amounts of marijuana for registered clients. Many California vendors provide marijuana in pharmacy-like stores protected by armed guards, But TV station KCNC-Channel 4 reported only a video surveillance cameras and theft insurance week before Gorman's murder that he was policies, St. Pierre said. forging registration cards for anyone who wanted one. While insurance claims for thefts at state- authorized cannabis shops are commonplace, he "He was giving out caregiver cards like they has never heard of one filed by a Colorado were Monopoly money," said Nate Strauch, grower. spokesman for Colorado Attorney General John Suthers. Colorado medical marijuana growers must learn to be more careful in talking about their It doesn't take much operations, St. Pierre said. Established medical-marijuana shops in He recalls the day he attended one of California have learned to be much more Gorman's trademark news conferences in cautious after numerous murders of growers, St. which he brazenly spoke about his own growing Pierre said. operation. About 20 people around the nation have been "I was horrified," he said. "My toes curled and I killed in homes growing marijuana for medicinal crept away." purposes in the past 10 years, most in California, said St. Pierre, who recently bought a gun after Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303- being robbed at home about a dozen times. 954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com . The victims include Rex Farrance, 59, the senior This story has been corrected in this online technical editor of PC World, who was fatally archive. Because of a reporting error, it was shot in the chest after four masked men broke originally stated thate Rex Farrance was the into his house in Pittsburg, Calif., in January. His senior technical editor of PC Magazine. Farrance 18-year-old son was registered to grow is the senior technical editor of PC World. Advertisement denverpost.com (303) 832-3232 denverpost.com:,. Subscriptions cost from denverp w- Y 63 cents to $2.50/week M www.denverpost.com/Subscribe Print Powered By . rA Dynamics Killing Highlights Risk of Selling Marijuana, Even Legally - New York Times Page 1 of 4 Get Home Delivery Login Register Now HOME PAGE MY TIMES TODAY'S PAPER VIDEO MOST POPULAR TIMES TOPICS Ellt Nthlflork0meS U.S. _ Ameriprise0. U.J ' III U.B. All NVT seercn s-., NVORI.D DS. N.Y./REGION IIIBINESS TBCHNOI/JGY SCIENCE: HI I SI'OICLS' OPINION kRIS STYI,B IHAVF,I.. JOBS REALESTATE AUTOS POLITICS WASHINGTON EDUCATION SOLUTIONS ARE POWER:" ONLINE MARKETING•SEGUR[n-WEB SITE BE$181t1E-C1*MEB Network Solutions. Corn Killing Highlights Risk of Selling Marijuana, Even More Articles in National Legally Great Getaways - Travel Deals by E-Mail q, Sign up far travel offers from NYTimes tom's premier atlvertisers. See Sample I Privacy Policy II II ~i I All the news that's fit to chick. Ar Nei11 191.". nptimm.com Nen.i M. ry,:v ion N, YmI. T, Manluana sapporlers met ro'.LLOVe! on feb 21 to mourn Ken 3orman +ho i I rld Icgal r.o'pears antl IIS IIIegL•I use BJ KIRK JOHNSON SIGN IN TO EMAIL OR SAVE THIS MOST POPULAR Correction Appended E-MAILED SLOGGED SEARCHED PRINT SINGLE PAGE 1. 1'ssay: 11 s Not You, It's Your BOokas DENVER, March t -Ken Gorman, an aging missionary of marijuana, Therapies Fight Phantom Noises oft incites was found murdered in his home here two weeks ago. The unsolved REPRINTS z. New a. David Brooks: Pitching With Purpose crime is exposing the tangled threads at the borderland of the legal SHARE 4 Who Are We? Nov Dialogue on Mixed Race and illegal drug WOIldS he inhabited. 5. lnsurers Faulted as Overloading Social Security 6. 01I Contributor: Did Your Shopping List Kill a Mr. Gorman, who was 6o, legally Senghird? Related provided marijuana to patients under 7. Paul Krugn The Dilhert atrategv Report on the Murder of Ken Colorado's medical marijuana law, but he also openly s. Student, of virginity Gorman (ehs4denveccom) reached the virtues of illegal use, and even ran for p 9. In Gaza, Hamns's Insults to Jews Complicate Peace governor in the 199os on a pro-drug platform. in. Inside the Black Budget w ' In recent years, he had grown frightened as the mainstream medicine of cannabis care Go to Complete List bumped against the unregulated and violent terrain of the illicit drug market. He had been robbed more than a dozen times in his home on Denver's west side, had recently f gotten a gun and also talked of installing a steel door and gates. FlIeNdu'f (orketmes BUSINESS i~ nytimes.com/business "Ken was really fed up with the barrage of robberies and he told me it would never happen again," said Timothy Tipton, a friend and fellow medical marijuana supplier, who 1_u_-1L_____.._ _____11PI/AI IA1/_--hol__--_ L:_ L- t n/1?lnnn Killing Highlights Risk of Selling Marijuana, Even Legally - New York Times Page 2 of 4 said Mr. Gorman showed him the gun about two months ' ago. ' Some legal experts say Mc Gorman's death could lead to a reconsideration of how medical marijuana is administered here and elsewhere. Providers are often left exposed andZ~ , vulnerable because of the nation's conflicting drug laws, What you need to know about your taxes with marijuana use illegal under federal law but legalized Also in Business! Don't like taxes? consider the lernal_ive. for some medicinal purposes here and in to other states. A step-by-step guide to the 1040 New rules ease the sting of mortgages Since 1999, after the first medical marijuana law was cos +I-- passed in California, as many as 20 legal marijuana K,n Go an 'providers have been killed around the country, mostly in robberies, said Allen St. Pierre, the executive director of the National Organization for the Complete coverage of Awards Reform of Marijuana laws, or Norml, a nonprofit advocacy group in Washington. season All the news that's fit to personalrze. Some in law enforcement, including Colorado's attorney general, John W. Bothers, say In a world of second opinions, get the Gorman killing illuminates more clearly than ever that crime and marijuana cannot the facts first be disentangled. O"W "Mr. Gorman showed that the law is abused and can be abused," said Nate Strauch, a r spokesman for Mr. Suthers. Waa."V. Many people in the medical marijuana supply system say the central risk comes down to the fact that they work in the shadows, where law enforcement officials are often either Its conflicted or hostile and crime is rampant. At the Colorado Compassion Club, for instance, which opened last year as a storefront See what our weekly . support center in Denver, the zoo marijuana patients served there go through as much as Weekly Ad a pound of marijuana a day. The club grows as much as it can, said its founder, Thomas E. Lawrence, but must rely on buys on the illicit market for the rest, usually made by one I has in store for you. or two caregivers who have volunteered. Mr. Gorman's killing, legal experts say, has exposed the paradoxes and ambiguities about - , n ' ' medical marijuana that most states have failed to grapple with. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which administers the marijuana program, is not authorized, for example, to provide information about where the t,too patients who are certified under the program can obtain their drugs, according to the department's Web site. The state also does not license marijuana providers, or inspect the quality of the drug that patients obtain. Colorado's law allows patients with certain illnesses, as well their doctors and others who provide care, the right to possess, grow and transport marijuana. But all those things remain illegal under federal law. And a chief deputy district attorney for Denver, Greg long, said that anyone selling drugs illegally, even if the final recipient pl^ was legally entitled to possess them, could still technically be violating state laws too - 1~Yrr though as a practical matter, Mr. Long said, prosecutors do not generally pursue cases in which the drug being sold is marijuana for certified medical use. INSIDE, NXTIMES.COM - Killing Highlights Risk of Selling Marijuana, Even Legally - New York Times Page 3 of 4 The portrait of Mr. Gorman isjust as unclear. His friends say he was quixotic and selfless, a man uninterested in financial gain who tilted against the confining rules of society, especially the drug laws. A merry prankster at a time when marijuana advocacy groups were becoming more adept at politics than protest, he had become an anachronism, acquaintances say, whose counterculture antics embarrassed and angered many people in the medical-advocacy and legal reform movements. "I have gray hair on my head and I attribute some of it to Ken Gorman," Mr. St. Pierre of Normisaid. Some critics said Mr. Gorman was caught up in his own image as a rebel, thwarting even the rules about medical marijuana that could further the causes he espoused. 1 2 NEXT PAGE x Dan Frosch contributed reporting. Correction: March 13, 2007 An article on March 2 about the slaying of Ken Gorman, a supplier of medical marijuana in Denver, included an erroneous estimate from Allen St. Pierre, the executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, on the number of legal marijuana providers who have been killed nationally. Mr. St. Pierre says he can only verify six killings since 2oo3, not the 20 since 1997 that he earlier estimated. More Articles in National x Need to know more? 60% off home delivery of The Times. Tips To find reference information about the words used in this article, double-click on any word, phrase or name. A new window will open with a dictionary definition or encyclopedia entry. Past Coverage THE ZOO; lildiC IONS: ISSUES-- INCIIA'IIVFS; Defying Rush Administration, Voters in California Back $3 Billion for Stem Cell Research (November 4, 2004) National Briefing I Rockies: Colorado: Sham Checkpoint Ruling (August 16, 2003) National Briefiag ~ Rockies: Colorado: Response Light For Medical Marijuana (December 14, 2001) National Briefing I Rockies: Colorado: Marijuana Now Available (June 2, tool) Related Searches Marijuana Colorado mnf ders and Attempted Murders Medicine and I leallh NY I REGION x SPORTS. OPINION » SCIENCE w OPINION x ART 8 DESIGN x Editorial: Put ~Z the Mousing Back in IIUD Grow photographs PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN OF BIG ISLAND MARIJUANA GROWS The following photographs were taken by officers at the scene of marijuana search warrants served in Hawaii County during 2006-2007. As some of the suspects in these cases have not completed court proceeding, no further information will be provided as to where the grow was located, or name of suspect involved. The purpose of attaching these photographs is to provide a more accurate image of the scale of these marijuana operations encountered by police officers. ,r^ k I f Ilk IN j r ~ r r r y~~~p r 01, FT YF ..n h 4;-V s." y i4 )r~ hM f F 1 v ~ # M1 e 1 L.~i!l c w Y f 1 S T 4 Adi t 9 ~ 9 J i a r ~ a w f 1w evY F p fool ~ M ~ IpIN~, L r M K .m A Y a R F TAP, J R' Y s e 74'3 j. #t .o ~ IP@I61x J 1 jX '1~~11~i {i~l .aM1 fl xn I - 1.. ' f iN= AGilI~ ab f~ l l W 4pk ~ t1w N w4.... ^M it 1 v. k r ff Y` ',C ell, J f . 't y h. I 4{{ It tl I~IR~ -'4 it A I "It' - Ina ~ is f f M~ } yj1 ~i ~l~ Itf j m it[ ! Ys ~ ~Kxt t 4 t~ri4 + F II t4I "}ii?~~~v 8 !M t tlx:. _ .~?.^Y~1U""wly:~ ~ii ~~f I lTIT i C . -r. .y xAx. dll' ~i ~ UI7 , I 2007IIAWAI7 COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property ....................$1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency $ 53,080.00 Generators $29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checksibonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office) ~r? 2007 HAWAII COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property ....................$1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency $ 53,080.00 Generators $29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checks/bonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office) 2007 HAWAII COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property ....................$1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency 53,080.00 Generators $29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checks/bonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office) 2007 HAWAII COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property ....................$1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency ....................................$53,080.00 Generators $29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checks/bonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office) 2007 HAWAII COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property ....................$1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency $53,080.00 Generators $29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checks/bonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office) 2007 HAWAII COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property $1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency ....................................$53,080.00 Generators $29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checks/bonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office) 20071Y4 WA77 COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property ....................$1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency ....................................$53,080.00 Generators $29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checks/bonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office) 20071Y4WAI7 COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property ....................$1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency ....................................$53,080.00 Generators $29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checks/bonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office) 200711AWAII COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property ....................$1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency $53,080.00 Generators $29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checks/bonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office) 2007HAWAII COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property ....................$1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency $53,080.00 Generators $29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checksibonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office) 2007 HAWAII COUNTY POLICE MARIJUANA STATISTICAL DATA The following information supplements the "Hawaii County Council Meeting" booklet (Regarding 2008 DCE/SP Federal Grant) Marijuana plants recovered: 38,007 plants Dried processed marijuana recovered: 275.31 pounds Hashish* recovered: 2.1 pounds (*the most potent type of marijuana concentrate which upgrades Hawaii Revised Statutes violation from "Detrimental Drug" to "Harmful Drug") Forfeitures as a result of marijuana cultivation cases: Residence/Property ....................$1,400,000.00 Vehicles $114,372.00 Currency 53,080.00 Generators ...................................$29,598.00 ATV/Jet Skis ...............................$14,595.00 Travel checks/bonds .........................$5,850.00 Trailer w/tank ..................................$878.00 Total estimated value: $1,618,373.00 "Green Harvest" Eradication Operations conducted: 27 (days) Helicopter complaints related to Marijuana operations: 18 complaints (*Total annual complaints, 16 to Police Department, 2 to Mayor Office)