August 12, 2004
Thursday

Southeast Alaska - U.S. Attorney Tim Burgess announced recently that Thorne Bay resident Charles Thomas Beck, 59, was sentenced to one felony count for growing marijuana plants. The charge stemmed from an investigation conducted in October 2000 by the U.S. Forest Service.

In a plea agreement, Beck received 16 months in federal prison, three years supervised release, and forfeited the right to possess firearms for cultivating 87 marijuana plants on National Forest System land on Prince of Wales Island.

Forest Service officers eradicated a total of 278 marijuana plants in connection with the investigation.

According to information released by the U.S. Forest Service, Beck stated he was "growing the plants for a friend's widow," who would then receive the proceeds from the sale.

Cultivating marijuana on National Forest System lands is a federal crime. Individuals found cultivating marijuana within national forests will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The U.S. Forest Service requests that anyone with information regarding illegal use, manufacture of illicit drugs, or cultivation of marijuana on National Forest lands contact Assistant Special Agent in Charge Martin Myers, U.S. Forest Service, at (907) 586-8786.

Source of News Release:

U.S. Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
Web Site

 

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