Final Defendant Sentenced To 120 Months In Large Warren County Marijuana Distribution Ring

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - United States Attorney David J. Hale announced the sentencing of the last of 21 defendants prosecuted in a large marijuana distribution ring operating from June 2008 to February 2010, in Warren County, Kentucky.

Senior Judge Thomas B. Russell late yesterday sentenced Brian Miller of Bowling Green, to 120 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana in the Western District of Kentucky.

“The successful conclusion of this multi-defendant drug trafficking case follows from an effective and coordinated law enforcement effort,” stated U.S. Attorney Hale. “We commend the good work of the Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force and the DEA. These important federal and local partnerships are working to reduce the drug trafficking and the violent crime that all too often is associated with drug trafficking organizations, throughout the Western District of Kentucky.”

“This is what can be accomplished when we all work together, share information,” stated Thomas M. Loving, Director, Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force.

All defendants pleaded guilty to various drug trafficking and/or money laundering charges while some pleaded guilty to reduced charges. The indictments in U.S. District Court were returned by a grand jury on November 3, 2010, April 6, 2011, and March 14, 2012. Defendants were sentenced in United States District Court, in Bowling Green, on December 4, 2012, and on February 28, 2013. The following is a listing of sentences received: Tony Barber to 30 months imprisonment; Paul Cuen to 37 months imprisonment; Bryson Hall to 18 months imprisonment; Carl Gene Jones Jr. to 97 months imprisonment; Roger Kollman to 60 months probation; Craig Larry to 60 months probation; Tim Manning to 60 months probation; Brian Scott Miller to 120 months imprisonment; Jacob Paul Miller to 87 months imprisonment; Darrell Morgan to 60 months probation; Michael Perry to 41 months imprisonment; Julius Price to 60 months imprisonment; Ralph Rich to 60 months probation; Scott Rich to 41 months imprisonment; Troy Rich to 84 months imprisonment; Stephanie Rich to 60 months probation; Michael Rich to 45 months imprisonment; Jonathan Watkins to 37 months imprisonment; and Paul Michael Wilson to 27 months imprisonment.

Differences between the sentences received for the same charge are attributable to the individual defendant’s criminal history record, which is an important factor in federal sentencing procedures. In addition to the sentences noted above, all defendants who received a prison sentence would be placed on supervised release for a period of at least three years after serving the imposed sentence. There is no parole in the federal prison system.

Two defendants had charges dismissed on a motion by the United States and one defendant, Francisco Parra of Rio Pico, Arizona, was acquitted at trial.

In addition to the sentences, the investigation resulted in the forfeiture of approximately $200,000 in U.S. currency and approximately $800,000 in real and personal property.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Larry Fentress, and investigated by the Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.