August 26, 2009

TWO LAMOILLE COUNTY MEN SENTENCED TO HOME DETENTION FOR MARIJUANA GROW OPERATION AND ORDERED TO PAY $45,550 IN RESTITUTION

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Dana Brome, 31, formerly of Stowe (presently living in Rhode Island), and Jamie Joyner, 36, of Morrisville, were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Burlington yesterday by Chief Judge William K. Sessions III for their role in a 143 plant marijuana grow operation in Stowe. Judge Sessions sentenced both Brome and Joyner to four months home detention, two years supervised release, 100 hours community service, and ordered them to pay $45,550.21 in restitution for damages done to the rental property. Jamie Joyner was also ordered to forfeit $4,000, as agreed to in the plea agreement. Both Brome and Joyner had previously pled guilty to this offense.

According to court records, on August 29, 2008, the Stowe Police Department executed a search warrant at a Bryan Road, Stowe residence, rented by Brome and Joyner, and found a sophisticated marijuana grow operation with 129 marijuana plants inside and 14 outside. The residence appeared to be unoccupied except for the grow operation. The equipment included grow lights, electric panels, grow inverters, ventilation tubing, filter system, several scales, and a harvesting chart. There were holes cut in the floor for vents and boards nailed over windows and walls to attach grow equipment. As a result of the grow operation, the house sustained considerable damage including mold damage, which required extensive repairs and cleaning. Accordingly, Judge Sessions ordered the defendants to pay $45,550.21 in restitution, of which $30,550.21 was to go to Liberty Mutual insurance company and $15,000 to the owner of the house.

The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Perella. Dana Brome is represented by Ron Merelman of Stowe and Jamie Joyner is represented by Robert Sheftman of Montpelier. This case was jointly investigated by the Stowe Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration.