Spokane – Today, Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Charles Wesley Wright, age 41, of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Jon Richard Vivian, age 31, of Spokane, Washington, have both pleaded guilty to felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

In April 2011, the United States Attorney's Office sent notification to more than forty property owners where marijuana stores were operating, that the distribution of marijuana remains illegal under federal law. As a result, numerous marijuana stores shut down voluntarily. The U.S. Attorney's Office warned that absent voluntary compliance, direct action would be taken against the operators of the stores. THC Pharmacy, located at 1108 South Perry in Spokane, did not immediately cease operations. It was located within 1000 feet of a public elementary school. On April 28, 2011, a federal search warrant was executed at 1108 South Perry. Agents seized bottles of marijuana, 36 growing marijuana plants, and $12,706 in currency. Charles Wright and Jon Vivian admitted they were business partners operating the THC Pharmacy. They claimed to have distributed marijuana to over 1,000 customers. Sentencing for Jon Vivian is set for February 13, 2012. Sentencing for Charles Wright is set for February 21, 2012.

Michael C. Ormsby, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said, "Our goal was to seek voluntary compliance with the federal law. Absent that, we were left with no other alternative than to enforce the law with quick and direct action."

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Spokane Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Russell Smoot, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

11-CR-0113-WFN

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