8 Men Indicted For Conspiring To Distribute More Than 1,000 Kilograms Of Marijuana

MINNEAPOLIS—A federal indictment unsealed last week charges eight men for conspiring to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana in Minnesota. The indictment, which was filed on March 5, 2013, charges Irineo Serio Moreno, age 34, of Minneapolis; Ryan Timothy Solon, age 34, of Eden Prairie; Christopher David Schumacher, age 35, of Bloomington; Shawn Andrew Withrow, age 38, of Shakopee; Jeremy Allen Anderson, age 38, of Circle Pines; Corey William Johns, age 27, of Mounds View; Arthur Eugene Johns, age 29, of New Brighton; and Matthew Ryan Waste, age 27, of Carnelian Bay, California; with one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The indictment was unsealed on March 8, 2013, following the defendants’ initial appearance in federal court.

The indictment alleges that from January 2009 through December 20, 2012, the defendants conspired with each other and others to distribute 1,000 or more kilograms of marijuana.

If convicted, the defendants face a potential maximum penalty of life in prison. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Metro Drug Task Force, the West Hennepin Public Safety Department, the Medina Police Department, the Orono Police Department, the Mound Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southwest Hennepin Drug Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell.

During the investigation, authorities have seized numerous items including pickup trucks, jet skis, trailers, vehicles, motorcycles, and more than $200,000 in cash. The U.S. is seeking forfeiture of all of these items.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.