Non-Native Man Residing on Navajo Indian Reservation Pleads Guilty to Federal Marijuana Trafficking Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – On January 4, 2013, Richard Glosch, 34, a non-Indian who resides in Pinehill, N.M., pled guilty to a marijuana trafficking charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that Glosch was arrested on Oct. 25, 2012, after tribal officers found marijuana plants in his Pinehill residence when responding to a domestic violence call. Pinehill is located within the Navajo Indian Reservation. Subsequently, Glosch was indicted and charged with (1) intentional child abuse not resulting in death or bodily harm, and (2) possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

During his plea hearing, Glosch plead guilty to Count 2 of the indictment and admitted that on Oct. 25, 2012, he possessed marijuana with the intention of delivering or transferring it to another person. Under the terms of Glosch’s plea agreement, Count 1 of the indictment will be dismissed after Glosch is sentenced.

Glosch continues on conditions of release and under pretrial supervision pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. At sentencing, Glosch faces a maximum five years of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Ramah Navajo Tribal Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob A. Wishard.