Seven Sacramento and Bay Area residents are among 18 people charged in federal court in Virginia for allegedly participating in a nationwide distribution ring smuggling high-quality marijuana from Northern California to mid-level dealers in numerous states throughout the county.
After coordinated arrests Thursday, 17 of the alleged conspirators are in custody, according to a new release issued by Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Officials said Marvin Powers Jr., 39, of Vallejo, remains at large.
According to court documents, the ring is led by Anthony Guidry Sr., 46, of Vallejo, who allegedly trained and worked with three other men as interconnected wholesale dealers of marijuana that they either grew or purchased in California. From 2005 to the present, the conspirators allegedly took orders for various marijuana strains and shipped quantities to suppliers in a dozen states.
Guidry allegedly focused on extending the enterprise to as many states as possible, recruiting distributors from all walks of life, including college athletes, to open distribution centers in cities and on college campuses in Virginia, Georgia, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Court documents state that Guidry owns a company, Daddy's Girl Handyman, which is based out of his residence and is allegedly a front for laundering illicit drug proceeds. He is accused of using drug proceeds to purchase multiple homes, vehicles and a boat. In a two-year period, investigators allege, he received deposits of nearly $1 million into various bank accounts that he controlled.
The 17 individuals arrested have been charged with conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, which carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison if convicted.
Sacramento and Bay Area residents arrested in the case are Julius Jamar Watson III, 23, of Sacramento; Tiffany Nicole Solorio, 22, of Rio Linda; Justin Dacory Johnson, 23, of Pittsburg; Munir Abdalla Saad, 36, of Benicia; and Noe Briones, 26, of Rodeo.
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