June 30, 2010

NEWTON MAN SENTENCED ON MARIJUANA, GUN CHARGES

WICHITA, KAN. – A Newton man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on charges of growing 204 marijuana plants in his home, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.

A jury found Judah Prince, 50, formerly of Newton, Kan., guilty on one count of manufacturing marijuana and 26 counts of using a false address when he filled out federal paperwork to determine whether he was eligible to purchase firearms.

During a jury trial in U.S. District Court in Wichita, prosecutors presented evidence that on Jan. 9, 2008, agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives served a search warrant at Prince’s home in Newton. They found the marijuana plants growing inside the house. They also seized more than 35 firearms including rifles, shotguns and pistols.

Welch commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster and Special Assistant Aaron Smith for their work on the case.