The Blotter
The Times' criminal justice team looks behind the scenes and behind the headlines.
SubscribeApril 6, 2009 6:35 PM
Seattle man pleads guilty to growing pot in suburban homes
Posted by John de Leon
A 36-year-old Seattle man, who federal prosecutors say organized several marijuana grow houses in Snohomish County, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to manufacture marijuana. Jerry R. Berkey faces a prison sentence of between seven years and three months and nine years when he is sentenced on July 10 in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
According to a news release, over the past five years Berkey organized marijuana grow operations in suburban homes with several other people. He would pay for the rent, plants and would distribute the marijuana to buyers. The news release said Berkey grew more than 4,000 plants at five different homes in Lynnwood, Everett and Edmonds.
Prosecutors allege that each of the grow operations brought in about $3,000 every 30 days.
Berkey was arrested Oct. 10, and was indicted by a federal grand jury about two weeks later.
Police and prosecutors say residential homes, particularly in Seattle's suburbs, are increasingly being used to hide marijuana grow operations. Times staff reporter Jonathan Martin wrote about the trend in a July 2007 story.
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