California Men Arraigned for Conspiring to Distribute Drugs and Money Laundering

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Eric Thibodo, 54, of Malibu, California, and Evan Bowen, 45, of Garberville, California, appeared today before the Honorable Michael D. Nelson, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Nebraska, and pleaded not guilty to a three-count indictment that was unsealed on April 20, 2023. Count I charges Conspiracy to Distribute 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. The maximum penalty is at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Money Laundering and Count III charges Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. If convicted of either Count II or III, the possible penalty is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Both men were released on conditions and will be monitored by the United States Probation and Pre-Trial Services agency.

David Leidermann, David Bose, and James Reja were also charged in the same indictment. Leidermann and Bose were arrested in California and have yet to make an appearance in the District of Nebraska. Reja has not been arrested. All defendants charged in an indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The indictment is the result an investigation dating back to September of 2019 and has revealed evidence of more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and millions of dollars in drug proceeds being illegally transported in the District of Nebraska and elsewhere.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.