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Illegals sentenced to 12 years in marijuana bust


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Three illegal immigrants were sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to possession of more than 70 pounds of marijuana.

Defendants Jose Almanz Castillo, Julio Ceaser Luna-Puga and Osvaldo Galvan-Robles were originally charged with possessing 561 pounds of marijuana valued at $561,000 when arrested by sheriff’s narcotics detectives April 8, 2008, said Assistant District Attorney Jennings Jones.

Jennings worked with their respective attorneys to work out the plea accepted by Circuit Court Judge David M. Bragg.

At the time, sheriff’s Narcotics Lt. Egon Grissom said Castillo had previously been deported but returned to the U.S.

Detectives received a tip in April 2008 from the 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force about a large quantity of marijuana possibly being stored at an Old Nashville Highway home.

Narcotics Detectives Jerremy Weaver and Chris Owens did surveillance and stopped a cargo van. They located the three suspects with marijuana. They obtained a search warrant for two Smyrna homes where they found equipment to package marijuana.

Detectives seized 561 pounds of fresh marijuana believed packaged at the “stash house.” They also seized $5,500 in cash, a truck and a cargo van believed used to transport the marijuana.

During the plea, an interpreter relayed the facts of the case and the proposed sentence.

The three men pleaded guilty to the reduced charge. They were sentenced to 12 years in prison with the remaining counts dismissed. They were fined $2,000 each. They must submit to a DNA sample.

They will receive credit from the time they were arrested.

Grissom said the convicts were expected to be deported after serving their sentence. Since receiving credit for time served, the convicts may be eligible for parole in three years.




 
 
 
Tagged under  illegal immigrants, Marijuana, sheriff's narcotics division


Member Opinions:
By: mr.right on 9/8/09
poor guys- they were just trying to make an honest living. haha
on a serious note- when they make parole, will ICE deport them? They better.

By: Farmall on 9/8/09
They will probably recieve a hearing in Memphis, and be expected to show up on their own accord.

By: diddlede on 9/8/09
Good news!

By: theredbaron on 9/8/09
So healthcare for illegal immigrants bad... keeping them in prison (where they get healthcare) good??

By: BoltAction on 9/8/09
Why don't we deport him and all the other illegals in prison. That should free up some of the state budget.

By: devolver on 9/8/09
If they're deported, they'd just find their way back state-side. But, the possession of marijuana shouldn't be a criminal offense.

By: mr.right on 9/8/09
but it is a criminal offense no matter how much you disagree. so until its legal citizens and ILLEGALS will still catch charges for possessing it.

By: devolver on 9/8/09
mr.obvious: thank you for brilliantly constructing an argument.

By: mr.right on 9/9/09
not trying to start an arguement. just tired of people saying marijuana shouldnt be a criminal offense. it is...oh well.

By: Dave42 on 9/9/09
Gee, and I thought those trespassers just took the jobs Americans wouldn't do. If the illegals were all deported that would sure help the economy and lower the unemployment rate. Oh, I forgot, people like Prince Harry, Princess Nancy, King Barack, and of course some of the court jesters like Boxer, Feinstien, Franken, Biden, and Dodd think our Constitution gives them rights too.

By: confused on 9/9/09
Well, there are some that think marijuana shouldn't be illegal...what about 561 pounds?? that is what they had! and yes, after they receive parole, ICE will come and pick them up and deport them. I am sure that when they are deported, they will find their way back here and do something else. They are breaking the law by coming here in the first place... what makes anyone think that they would not keep breaking the law to make their 'honest' living and to support their illegal family?

By: Farmall on 9/9/09
Oh, we will be supporting their illegal family while they spend half of 12 years in in one of the states holiday camps.

By: jg13 on 9/9/09
Actually Dave42, there have been several articles lately on how immigration, legal and illegal is down significantly thanks to the floundering economy. Pretty bad when the worlds poorest won't come to the U.S. because things are so bad here. Maybe that was Bush's plan all along. Tank the economy to reduce illegal immigration.

By: enoughisenough on 9/9/09
Get over yourself...
The people from south of the border are coming here for JOBS. Those same JOBS could be filled by Americans who refuse to leave the welfare roles and find employment.

When we put some true restrictions on the qualifications of receiving governmental assistance, I will be the first in line in support.

By: spanky on 9/11/09
Hey Enough - where can I find one of those north of the border Drug dealing jobs ?

By: spanky on 9/11/09
Where is the Tea Party being held tomorrow.


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