MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – An investigation earlier this week in Mendocino County resulted in the arrests of numerous suspects from Mendocino, Lake and Sonoma counties, and the seizure of large amounts of cash and illicit drugs.
The County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team (COMMET) operation, which took place on the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 6, resulted in the arrests of Megan Champion, 27, of Redwood Valley; Karen Johnanna Spencer, 39, of Ukiah; Dakota Michael Nesbitt, 19, of Kelseyville; James Kelby Shook, 30, of Kelseyville; Bogdan Gabriel Cristea, 27, of Santa Rosa; Jordan Anthony Williams, 21, of Santa Rosa; and Mia Miller, 47, of Ukiah.
Mendocino County Sheriff's Capt. Kurt Smallcomb said COMMET went to 2310 Road K in Redwood Valley just before 1 p.m. Monday to conduct followup on an ongoing investigation.
Smallcomb said deputies discovered that the residence was being used to process marijuana and the residence was secured and a search warrant was obtained.
While at the residence deputies located Spencer, Nesbitt, Shook, Cristea, Williams and Miller, Smallcomb said.
A subsequent search of the residence revealed approximately 144 pounds of marijuana drying in a detached garage, 89 pounds of processed bud marijuana packaged for sale, 17 pounds of untrimmed marijuana, scales, packaging material, records, less than a gram of MDMA – or Ecstasy – and $164,456 in US currency, according to Smallcomb's report.
Spencer was arrested for a misdemeanor probation violation and a felony probation violation, and felony charges of possession of marijuana for sale and marijuana cultivation, according to Mendocino County Jail records.
Nesbitt, Williams, Shook and Cristea all were arrested on felony counts of marijuana cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale and booked into the Mendocino County Jail, the report said.
Smallcomb said Miller was released and charges are being submitted to the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office against her.
He said Megan Champion was determined to be the person living at and renting the property and charges are being submitted to the District Attorney's Office against her.
The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected, Smallcomb said.
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