The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on September 7, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, CHRISTOPHER CRONSHAW, a 25-year-old resident of Santa Barbara, California, and GREGORY ZUCKERT, a 46-year-old resident of Whitefish, appeared for sentencing.

CRONSHAW was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 125 days and 3 months home arrest

Special Assessment: $100

Supervised Release: 4 years

ZUCKERT was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 3 days and 3 months home arrest

Special Assessment: $100

Supervised Release: 4 years

They were sentenced in connection with their guilty pleas to conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

From approximately January of 2011 to November 16, 2011, CRONSHAW, ZUCKERT, and others were involved in marijuana growing operations.

Two marijuana dispensaries named Big Sky Health in Missoula and Victor were owned and operated by an individual identified here as "XX." "XX" obtained marijuana from numerous sources of supply, including other marijuana producers, but his primary source of marijuana was a grow facility known as "The Wye" located in Missoula. "The Wye" had between 1,000 and 1,200 marijuana plants at various growth stages and was capable of producing at least 30 pounds of marijuana a month. "XX" distributed the marijuana through Big Sky Health marijuana dispensaries to marijuana cardholders and individuals who were not marijuana cardholders.

Law enforcement conducted several controlled purchases of marijuana in various amounts, including ounces, half-pounds, and pound quantities from "XX."

ZUCKERT was a contract employee who provided consulting services to "XX" in the production/growth of the plants at "The Wye." Although there was no written contract between ZUCKERT and "XX", "XX" agreed to pay ZUCKERT $3,000 per month compensation for his services.

From June 2011 until November 2011, on almost a weekly basis, ZUCKERT went to "The Wye" marijuana grow to inspect the plants and provide feedback to better facilitate the overall production of the marijuana grow.

ZUCKERT approached "XX" about starting another marijuana grow in Victor that would produce 24 pounds of marijuana a month.

CRONSHAW was the "head grower" at "The Wye" facility and was responsible for selecting the type of marijuana being grown. CRONSHAW took care of the plants on a daily basis - he trimmed the plants, dried them, and packaged the marijuana that was sold at the dispensary.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.

 

 

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