Eugene, Ore. - Steven Jay Veit, 52, of Elmira, Oregon, appeared in federal court on May 8, 2012 before U. S. District Judge Michael R. Hogan and was sentenced to 27 months in prison and a three year term of supervised release on a charge of conspiracy to manufacture and possess with intent to distribute over 100 marijuana plants. At his October 25, 2011 entry of a guilty plea to the charge, Veit also agreed to a money judgment in the amount of $330,000 to pay back the proceeds of his criminal offense.

Veit is the last of a group of six individuals sentenced by Judge Hogan for their involvement in a marijuana drug trafficking organization. The case grew out of a two and a half year long investigation initiated by members of the Oregon State Police (OSP) and the DEA Eugene Resident Office and has led to the dissolution of a large marijuana distribution ring with indoor marijuana grow sites at seven properties in rural Lane, Benton, and Lincoln counties. Investigators seized nearly 5,000 marijuana plants, over 60 firearms, and more than $67,000 in United States Currency, when search warrants were served at the seven locations in May 2009. Much of the marijuana being produced by members of this Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) was being transported to California, where it was sold for profit.

Veit's sentencing followed:

- the September 28, 2010 sentencing of Charles Herbert Bartlemay, Jr., 44, of Springfield to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release after his guilty plea to manufacturing marijuana;

- the January 12, 2011, sentencing of Kathie Meyer Ticknor, 63, of Waldport to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for manufacturing marijuana;

- the January 12, 2011, sentencing of Eric Michael Hale, 40,of Monroe to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for manufacturing marijuana;

- the March 4, 2011, sentencing of Jon Louis Sandstrom, 40, of Portland to 40 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana; and

- the June 7, 2011, sentencing of Charles Herbert Bartlemay, Sr., 62, of Elmira to five years of probation for manufacture of marijuana.

OSP and DEA received assistance from investigators from the Internal Revenue Service, the Lane County Interagency Narcotic Team (INET), Lincoln County Interagency Narcotic Team (LINT), Benton County Sheriffs Office, the Oregon State Police SWAT team and patrol troopers. Assistant U. S. Attorney AnneMarie Sgarlata handled the prosecution of the case.