Auburn Man Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison

FORT WAYNE – Jeffrey Gaunt, age 62, of Auburn, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to manufacturing over 100 marijuana plants, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Gaunt was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, in June 2018, acting on a tip an Indiana State Police Marijuana Eradication Helicopter was flying over Mr. Gaunts residence.  While flying over, officers observed Gaunt pulling up plants that appeared to be marijuana and trying to flee.  The helicopter landed and officers detained Gaunt.  A subsequent search warrant served on his property found 177 rooted marijuana plants, 60 non-rooted marijuana clones, sealed packages of marijuana, firearms and items consistent with a marijuana grow operation.  Mr. Gaunt is a convicted felon for Burglary and was sentenced to over 12 years in prison.       

The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Indiana State Police Marijuana Eradication Team and the Allen County Police Drug Task Force. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.  

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