United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2010
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

JOINT OPERATION ARRESTS THREE LUBBOCK MEN
IN MARIJUANA GROW CONSPIRACY

LUBBOCK, Texas — Three defendants who allegedly operated an extensive marijuana grow and distribution operation in Lubbock, Texas, were arrested today on charges outlined in a four-count federal indictment that was returned earlier this month and unsealed today, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. In an early-morning joint operation, investigators with the Lubbock Police Department, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety and agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested Lubbock residents Kyle Brandon Walker, 34, Shawn Mark McCardell, 27, and Justin Michael Rascher, 21. The defendants are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy M. Koenig at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 10, 2010, for their initial appearances.

During the course of executing federal search and arrest warrants this morning, law enforcement seized marijuana, firearms, and a very large sum of cash.

The indictment charges Walker, McCardell and Rascher each with one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute 1000 or more marijuana plants and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. In addition, Walker is charged with two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana and one count of maintaining drug-involved premises on White River Lake in Crosby County, Texas. McCardell is also charged with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana.

The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation which, upon conviction, would require the defendants to forfeit any proceeds obtained as a result of their offense. It would also require Walker to forfeit real estate on 30th Street, 47th Street, and 48th Street, in Lubbock, as well as a 2000 pickup truck.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted, each defendant faces a sentence of not less than 10 years nor more than life imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine and a term of supervised release of at least five years up to life.

The case is being investigated by the DEA, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lubbock Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Haag, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lubbock, is in charge of the prosecution.

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