 The Humboldt County Sheriff turned the case over to federal law enforcement after executing a search warrant in June 2003 based on information from an informant. At a pretrial hearing Dellas testified that he was growing for dispensaries, and a dispensary operator appeared in court and attempted to testify for him. At the sentencing hearing in January 2007, Tim again testified that he was growing for dispensaries, and later reiterated this in his statement before the judge. Nonetheless, the court sentenced him to a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and five years supervised release. Dellas was re-elected as Manila Community Services District President during his prosecution, but he resigned the position upon his conviction. He is currently serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Sheridan, OR. Timothy Dellas #93161-011 FCI Sheridan P.O. Box 5000 Sheridan, OR 97378 Sources: "Board Member Reelected Despite U.S. Charges of Growing Marijuana." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 06 Nov. 2003. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://articles.latimes.com/2003/nov/06/local/me-eureka6>. ### Department of Justice News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 16, 2007 Humboldt County Man Sentenced for Marijuana Cultivation Defendant Possessed and Manufactured Over 1,000 Marijuana Plants JAN 16 -- SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Kevin V. Ryan announced that Timothy Dellas was sentenced to ten years in prison and five years supervised release for manufacturing marijuana and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute. This sentence is the result of an investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Dellas, 51, of Manilla, California, was convicted on May 4, 2006 for the manufacture of marijuana and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute by a San Francisco jury after a six-day trial. The jury determined that Mr. Dellas possessed and manufactured more than 1,000 marijuana plants. Mr. Dellas was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 22, 2003. He was charged with manufacturing marijuana and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a) and (b). The two count indictment specified that Mr. Dellas knowingly possessed and manufactured more than 1,000 marijuana plants. Mr. Dellas was arrested during the execution of a search warrant at 3500 Elk Ridge Road, Briceland, California, a rural address in southern Humboldt County. In executing the search warrant, officers found Mr. Dellas in a residence that contained a large number of marijuana plants, a scale, and packaging materials. Further search of the property revealed two additional buildings converted for the production of marijuana. These buildings contained large quantities of marijuana plants and elaborate grow rooms with lighting and ventilation equipment to cultivate the plants. In one of these buildings, a sign warned against leaving fingerprints. Additionally, agents found facilities to "clone" marijuana by growing clippings from larger plants. In total, over 5,000 marijuana plants were found in these three buildings. Mr. Dellas’s truck, which was also on the property, contained documents reflecting the commercial nature of the marijuana cultivation. Transactions amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars were recorded. Receipts were projected in excess of a million dollars. In-partnership documents, expenses, and receipts were divided among the participants. Mr. Dellas is to report to authorities to begin his sentence on March 12, 2007. ### |
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