Windham Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Marijuana

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC BERGENN, 64, of Windham, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for marijuana trafficking and money laundering offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2014, the DEA and IRS-Criminal Investigation began investigating Eric Bergenn and his son, Arthur Bergenn, for the illegal production and distribution of marijuana and related money laundering.  The investigation revealed that Arthur Bergenn moved from Connecticut to California and began purchasing large quantities of marijuana.  Arthur then shipped marijuana via the U.S. Postal Service to individuals in Connecticut, where the marijuana was sold for profit.

The investigation further revealed that Eric Bergenn deposited cash proceeds from the sale of the marijuana into bank accounts he and his son maintained, and that he also mailed bulk amounts of cash to Arthur in California.    Arthur withdrew cash from the bank accounts while in California.  Arthur used the cash to finance the marijuana operation, and eventually used the funds to purchase three properties in Tehama County, California, on which he cultivated marijuana.

Between April 2010 and June 2014, more than $1.2 million in cash was deposited into 12 separate bank accounts controlled by Arthur and Eric Bergenn.  All of the cash deposits were in structured amounts of less than $10,000 in an apparent attempt to evade the filing of Currency Transaction Reports.  During this time, Arthur had no legitimate employment or source of income.

On August 11, 2014, investigators conducted court-authorized searches of Arthur Bergenn’s three California properties and seized approximately 300 marijuana plants, more than 50 pounds of processed marijuana, and numerous items used to cultivate, process and package marijuana.  Arthur and Eric Bergenn, who were present at one of the California properties, were arrested on state charges at that time.

On August 11, 2016, Arthur Bergenn pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering.  Eric Bergenn pleaded guilty to the same charges on April 19, 2018.

Arthur Bergenn, 33, awaits sentencing.

In resolving this case, Arthur and Eric Bergenn have agreed to forfeit their interest in 20635 Canal View Road in Corning, California; 15950 N. Mendocino Drive in Corning, California; 160 acres of land in Tehama County, California, and approximately $50,000 in cash that was seized during the investigation.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut State Police, Hartford Police Department, and Tehama County Sheriff’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.