San Francisco Men Indicted For Growing Marijuana In Mariposa

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against two San Francisco residents, charging them with conspiracy and marijuana cultivation, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, Jimmy Gong Yan Lee, 54, and Wei Jin Huang, 53, were discovered cultivating approximately 2,500 marijuana plants in two dwellings in the town of Mariposa in Mariposa County. On April 14, 2014, Mariposa County Sheriff’s Deputies executed a search warrant and discovered 874 marijuana plants in one building that was devoted entirely to the cultivation of marijuana. A large generator was supplying power to the second building, a house where the bottom level and garage had been dedicated to solely growing marijuana. Lee and Huang were arrested as they exited this residence.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kathleen A. Servatius is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Lee and Huang face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.