Bakersfield Marijuana Store Worker Pleads Guilty

FRESNO, Calif. —Gustavo Angel Salinas, 26, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to manufacture, to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today.

According to court documents and proceedings, Salinas worked as a “bud-tender” for ANP Collective in Bakersfield. The store came to the attention of Bakersfield police officers when they responded to an unrelated complaint. The officers found evidence of an indoor marijuana cultivation operation and DEA agents responded with a search warrant. During the search, agents seized 170 marijuana plants, 25 pounds of processed marijuana, a 12 gauge shotgun, and $68,173 in cash.

Salinas is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii on November 3, 2014. Salinas faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. Salinas was previously ordered and remains detained pending sentencing.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting this case.