Just thought I'd share a funny story

[heybrad]

Maybe funny isn't the right word, but I wanted to share this because it blew me away (admittedly due to the personal connection).

Here's the backstory...

I went to a bachelor party in Vegas a year or so ago for one of my closest friends. There were 5 or 6 of us in attendance, all friends from our inner circle and the bachelors cousin was there, which none us had met before. The cousin was in charge and apparently had a connection to get us tickets to a nascar truck race. We were going to meet up with his connection on the day of the race and go over to the speedway in a motorhome, do some tailgating and then watch the race.

We get to this guys house and its a mansion. Inside he's got all sorts of medieval collectibles on the walls, incredible electronics setup all over the place and it's clear this guy has a lot of money. We check out the motorhome and it's a converted truck. It was the absolute most kick ass motorhome I've ever seen. Inside we can see that he's stocked it with all manner of food and drink. This guy was sparing no expense to make sure we had a day to remember and none of us knew this guy so we start asking the cousin, "What does he do for a living?" The question was basically brushed off... "Don't worry about it. Just have a good time."

So today I get an email that links to the following story. The question of how he got his money is now answered. Jeffrey Talley was the connection that took us to the race. At the bottom it even mentions the converted motorhome.

4 Charged in marijuana grow operation - KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:.

4 Charged in marijuana grow operation

Updated: Aug 27, 2009 05:17 PM PDT

Local News Headlines more>> McCarran unveiling passport kiosks for international travelers New Citizens to be sworn in Thursday Seat belt & safety seat checkpoint Thursday Fire station to open across from McCarran Questions surround infant found unresponsive CityCenter opening dates announced You Ask: Why the temporary fix for a pothole? City Council approves step to build a full Cleveland Clinic Medical Campus Website reveals how much employees on Public Works projects make Roethlisberger: No change of venue in case

Federal charges have been filed against four individuals alleging that they operated a sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation in Las Vegas, announced Greg Brower, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

The charges were brought after federal and local law enforcement officials searched a warehouse near I-15 and West Desert Inn Road in June and discovered 2,000 marijuana plants, one of the largest seizures of marijuana ever made in Las Vegas.
Jeffrey Talley, 40, Alicia Talley, 41, Jim Castaneda, Jr., 35, and Craig Huber, 51, all of Las Vegas, are charged with Conspiracy to Manufacture Marijuana, Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.

Jeffrey Talley and Alicia Talley are also charged with Money Laundering Conspiracy.

The indictment was returned by the Grand Jury on August 26, 2009.

Jeffrey Talley is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on September 4, 2009, at 8:30 a.m.

Alicia Talley, Castaneda, and Huber are scheduled to be arraigned on September 18, 2009, at 3:00 p.m.

All of the defendants were arrested on August 6, 2009, and appeared before a federal magistrate judge on August 7.

Jeffrey Talley is currently detained pending trial.

The other defendants are released on personal recognizance bonds.

According to the court records, from about April 2004 through August 6, 2009, the defendants allegedly conspired to grow approximately 2,000 marijuana plants and to distribute at least 100 pounds of marijuana.
On June 25, 2009, DEA Agents and detectives and officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department executed a search warrant at 3350 Pinks Place in Las Vegas.

Inside the warehouse-like structure, the law enforcement agents and officers found 2,000 marijuana plants in approximately six rooms in varying states of growth.

The 2,000 plants had the estimated capability of producing approximately $7 million worth of marijuana.

The warehouse was divided into several rooms, some containing propagating marijuana plants and some containing equipment used to grow marijuana, including humidifiers, 1,000 watt light bulbs, oscillating fans, water pumps, etc.

Additionally, on 10 occasions between March 31, 2009, and April 24, 2009, Jeffrey Talley and Alicia Talley allegedly made cash deposits to their bank accounts, each in amounts less than $10,000, and totaling $61,690, in an attempt to avoid the filing of currency transaction reports by the banks to the IRS.

The Indictment also alleges that if the defendants are convicted they shall forfeit up to approximately $7.5 million in currency and/or properties.

On August 6, 2009, federal agents executed federal seizure warrants at the residence of Jeffrey and Alicia Talley and seized approximately $500,000 worth of property, including a Kenworth tractor truck, a customized Kenworth motor home/truck, a power generator, a chopper motorcycle, a Chevrolet Suburban vehicle, and a racing trailer.

This case is being investigated by the DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Henderson Police Department and Bureau of Indian Affairs.

It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kishan Nair and Lucas Foletta.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt.

The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

[molson]

Well, he had a good run.

[DaddyTorgo]

nice!

[Travis]

So this isn't the synopsis for the Hangover 2?

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by heybrad

The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Does anyone actually believe this? Nice story though.

[molson]

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

Does anyone actually believe this? Nice story though.

I've lost enough jury trials to believe it.

Seems like a slam-dunk case here though.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by heybrad

The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Even they are (legally) presumed innocent, we get to do this:

Originally Posted by heybrad

On August 6, 2009, federal agents executed federal seizure warrants at the residence of Jeffrey and Alicia Talley and seized approximately $500,000 worth of property, including a Kenworth tractor truck, a customized Kenworth motor home/truck, a power generator, a chopper motorcycle, a Chevrolet Suburban vehicle, and a racing trailer.

Boggles my mind.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Samdari

Even they are (legally) presumed innocent, we get to do this:

Boggles my mind.

Well you also have to deal with bail, pre-trial detention, restrictive release conditions, legal fees, intrusion of privacy from search warrants, etc, all before you're convicted. The presumption of innocence just applies to trial and punishment. It doesn't mean that the state isn't allowed to inconvenience you.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Samdari

Even they are (legally) presumed innocent, we get to do this:



Boggles my mind.

Don't forget, they get to auction it off, too. Even if guilt hasn't been proved.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Don't forget, they get to auction it off, too. Even if guilt hasn't been proved.

Right, that's the mind-boggling part.

Them seizing it and holding it pending trial, that I could stomach - wouldn't want someone using profits from crimes used to get them off. But if they're acquitted (and having the plants siezed from your home is generally not conducive to that) their stuff will still be gone.

[Tasan]

So how does it feel to be part of a money laundering scheme? I'm sure that race day ate up some cash!