A man and two associates have pleaded guilty to charges involving a large marijuana conspiracy which operated in Jefferson County, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap announced today.
Michael Eugene Yocum, 58, Hillsboro, MO, and Nelson Gilberto Gutierrez, 26, Tuscon, AZ, each pleaded guilty Friday, November 6, to one felony count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 100 kilograms of marijuana. Brian W. Yocum, 45, St. Louis, 63114, plead guilty to the same charge Tuesday. They appeared before United States District Judge Jean C. Hamilton.
Additionally, Michael Yocum is charged with a forfeiture count, which will require the forfeiture of property derived from the illegal activity. Michael Yocum waived indictment and agreed to be charged by way of Information which specifically lists the items he agrees to forfeit. Those items will go to partially satisfy a $1 million dollar judgment, which represents the value of the marijuana seized. As a result, he is losing his house and the approximately 15 acres it sits on, $144,000 seized from his house when he was arrested, two vintage Ford pick up trucks, a GMC Yukon a boat and the trailer it was sitting on as those items were either gained with drug proceeds, used to further the drug conspiracy or are being substituted so as to help satisfy the million dollar money judgment.
According to court documents, Elizabeth Leon drove a recreational vehicle containing 626.7 pounds (284.9 kilograms) of marijuana from Arizona to the Comfort Inn in Festus, MO, and Guitierrez followed the vehicle from Arizona. Brian W. Yocum and his brother Michael Eugene Yocum met them at the Comfort Inn.
Co-defendant, Elizabeth Karla Leon, 39, Chandler, AZ, was indicted on the same charges and is facing trial.
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 100 kilograms of marijuana carries a penalty range of five to 40 years in prison and/or fines up to $2 million.
Reap commended the work on the case by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri State Highway Patrol; and Assistant United States Attorney John T Davis, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and defendant Leon is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
