Pair Indicted For Distributing Hundreds Of Pounds Of Marijuana In Sarasota, Hillsborough, And Polk Counties

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Aaron Edwin Remaley (39, Riverview) and Michael Allen Babiarz (42, Sarasota) with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison.

According to the indictment, from at least August 2012 through April 2014, Remaley and Babiarz conspired with each other, and with others, to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana in Sarasota, Hillsborough and Polk Counties.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Patrick Scruggs.