Mexican national admits role in illegal National Forest pot grow operation

FRESNO, Calif. – A Mexican national pleaded guilty Monday to running a marijuana cultivation operation in the Sierra National Forest, following a joint investigation involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and several other law enforcement agencies.

Ezequiel Armas-Ortiz, 49, of Michoacán, Mexico, pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy and to manufacturing and possessing with intent to distribute marijuana in connection with a large-scale cultivation operation in the Brush Creek drainage in the Sequoia National Forest in Tulare County.

According to court documents, Armas and two other men, who have also been charged, with him were responsible for watering 2,719 marijuana plants at the grow site. The marijuana cultivation activities caused extensive damage to the land and natural resources. Trees and plants, newly generated following the 2002 McNally Fire, were cut down to make room for the marijuana. Water was diverted from a nearby stream that supports trout. Armas also agreed to make restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for the damage caused by his wrongful conduct.

Armas is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 19, 2016. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. Armas is also subject to deportation to Mexico after serving any term of imprisonment imposed.

This case is the product of an investigation by HSI, the U.S. Forest Service, the California National Guard, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.