Man sentenced for growing marijuana

Published 10:33 pm Friday, April 26, 2013

A Suffolk man who was arrested after police found more than 100 marijuana plants, an alcohol still and four firearms on his property will serve a year in prison for the crimes.

Leslie Vanhoose, 60, was sentenced to nine years, with eight years suspended. He pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, illegal production of alcohol, possession of untaxed alcoholic beverage and possession of distilling equipment without permit. Two other charges were not prosecuted as part of a plea agreement.

The raid took place on May 10 in the 400 block of Vicksburg Road. The plants would have been capable of producing more than 100 pounds of marijuana at full maturity, according to a city news release at the time.

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Prosecutor Matthew Glassman noted that the sentencing guidelines called for a maximum of three months, so Judge Carl Eason exceeded the guidelines.

Two co-defendants, Jonathan Brown and Justin Carr, have already pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the raid.