Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty To Laundering Drug Proceeds

COEUR D'ALENE - Allan R Hayes, 30, of Minnesota, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Hayes was indicted by a federal grand Jury in Coeur d'Alene on February 20, 2013.

According to the plea agreement, on January 22, 2013, Hayes was stopped for traffic violations. Pursuant to consent, the officer searched the vehicle and found over $200,000 in the trunk. The defendant admitted the money was proceeds from the sale of marijuana. Hayes told the officer that he was taking the money from Minnesota to California to pay for marijuana that was previously supplied and sold.

The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $500,000.00, and up to three years of supervised release.

Sentencing is set for November 12, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Coeur d'Alene.

The case was investigated by the North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force.