Minnesota couple sentenced to supervised release for possessing nearly 1,000 pounds of marijuana

BILLINGS—A federal judge today sentenced a Minnesota couple to one day of time served in custody and to five years of supervised release after they were arrested in Miles City with nearly 1,000 pounds of marijuana in their recreational vehicle, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Steven Thomas Robinson, 59, and his wife, Vicki Lynn Robinson, 60, of Milaca, Minn., each pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.

Steven Robinson faced a guideline range of 37 months to 46 months in prison, while Vicki Robinson faced a guideline range of 30 months to 37 months in prison.

In sentencing the couple, Judge Watters said Steven Robinson had serious health problems and that the couple cooperated with law enforcement.

On Aug. 30, 2017, the Montana Highway Patrol’s Eastern Montana Interdiction Task Force received information from a Minnesota drug task force that an RV was transporting a large quantity of marijuana from California to Minnesota. The Montana Highway Patrol located the RV in a Walmart parking lot in Miles City and began surveilling the vehicle. The RV left the parking lot and stopped at the Gold Dust Casino parking lot. Officers saw two occupants of the RV leave the casino and head to the RV. The officers approached and began talking to the couple, identified as the Robinsons. 

When the officers asked for license and registration documents, Vicki Robinson said the registration was in the RV. When she opened the door, officers smelled a strong order of raw marijuana. A police K-9 then alerted to the vehicle.

Steven Robinson agreed to speak with officers and admitted there was about 800 pounds of marijuana in the RV and that he was transporting it. He told officers he had delivered before and was paid $20,000. He also consented to a search of the RV and his cell phone. Officers found about 960 pounds of marijuana.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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