Congratulations to our California Department of Justice (DOJ) special agents who assisted in the investigation of a Stockton man who, on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Brandon Conley, 31, was convicted on marijuana and firearm charges.
A jury found Conley guilty of operating a huge marijuana cultivation business inside a warehouse in Stockton. On February 15, 2012, agents found 2,000 marijuana plants, 1,500 starter plants, a loaded pistol-grip 12 gauge shotgun and a loaded .22 caliber rifle. There was also a "Notice To Law Enforcement" posted on the front wall of the warehouse stating the grow was a medical marijuana operation under California law and that there were no firearms on site. Both statements proved to be false.
The case was investigated, in part, by DOJ special agents on the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force (METRO).
"Our California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) members who are a part of METRO, work with local and federal agencies to take down people like Conley," said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. "You can't hide behind medical marijuana laws. DOJ special agents saw this case through from investigation to arrest to prosecution and sentencing. Kudos to all who were involved in this case."
This case was investigated by METRO, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Stockton Police Department.