Feds bust owners of Calif. medical marijuana shops
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The owner of six Southern California medical marijuana dispensaries, including one store linked to an accident that killed a motorist and paralyzed an officer, are facing federal drug and money laundering charges.
Virgil Grant III, 41, and his wife, Psytra Grant, 33, were arrested Tuesday and appeared in court but neither entered pleas, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office.
Authorities are still searching for employee Stanley Jerome Cole, accused of selling a pound of marijuana to undercover agents for $5,700, said Mrozek.
Cole also allegedly sold marijuana products to Jeremy White, who is charged with gross vehicular manslaughter in connection with a December accident. White's truck hit a car parked on a highway shoulder, killing the driver and seriously injuring a California Highway Patrol officer.
According to court documents, White admitted he was under the influence at the time and investigators found marijuana and edible marijuana products in his car.
Investigators say White purchased the marijuana from The Holistic Caregivers in Compton, one of Grant's medical marijuana dispensaries.
Federal law does not recognize the medical marijuana laws in California and 11 other states.
The Grants, of Carson, also face money laundering charges. They and Cole were named in a 41-count indictment, Mrozek said. Their arraignments were set for Monday.
Psytra Grant was freed on $50,000 bail but Virgil Grant remained in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail, said Mrozek.
There was no immediate response to calls seeking comment from the Grants' attorneys.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
