FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
February 6, 2012	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 1:10-cr-176-AWI

            FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that Erik Christopher Stacy, 29, Robert Davis Dodson Jr., 54, and Charles Lee Kisor, 39, all of Ridgecrest, were sentenced today by United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii for conspiring to cultivate and distribute marijuana. Stacy was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, to be followed by 48 months of supervised release. Dodson was sentenced to two years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. Kisor was sentenced to 20 months in prison, to be followed by 48 months of supervised release.

            According to their plea agreements, the defendants admitted to forming B&C Natural Things in order to sell marijuana. Additionally, the defendants admitted to growing marijuana plants to be sold through the business. On April 27, 2010, agents located a total of 719 marijuana plants being grown at various locations in and around Ridgecrest, including within 1000 feet of a school.

            In sentencing the defendants, Judge Ishii affirmed that cultivating and distributing marijuana remains a serious offense under federal law, despite any ambiguities in California law.

            This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Ridgecrest Police Department. NCIS routinely works with state, local and other federal agencies to prevent the illegal distribution of drugs to the Department of Navy workforce. NCIS became involved in the investigation into the defendants' criminal activities when it received information that one or more of the defendants were supplying marijuana to Department of Navy employees located in and around the China Lake Naval Base in Ridgecrest, California. Assistant United States Attorney Elana Landau prosecuted the case.

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