- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Clearlake Oaks couple found with 60 pounds of marijuana during Nebraska traffic stop
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An elderly couple from Clearlake Oaks were found with 60 pounds of high grade marijuana during a traffic stop in Nebraska on Tuesday, and they could face hefty penalties due to that state’s marijuana laws.
The York County, Nebraska, sheriff’s office reported that Patrick Gordon Jiron, 80, and Barbara Jean Jiron, 70, were found in possession of the marijuana.
The agency said that on Tuesday York County deputies observed a 2016 Toyota Tacoma failing to signal a turn and driving left of the center line and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Interstate 80.
When the deputies contacted the vehicle, they detected the odor of raw marijuana coming from inside of it, the sheriff’s office said.
When asked about the odor of marijuana, the driver, Patrick Jiron, admitted to having contraband inside the vehicle and consented to a search of the vehicle, according to the agency’s report.
Authorities said the deputies found inside the vehicle’s truck topper approximately 60 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of more than $300,000, along with multiple containers of concentrated THC.
The Jirons told deputies that they were traveling from California, making stops in Boston and Vermont to distribute the marijuana to family and friends as Christmas gifts, the York County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Photos released by the agency showed numerous large bags and plastic containers of trimmed marijuana that were recovered from the vehicle.
Officials said both of the Jirons were cited for possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver and no drug tax stamp. Patrick Jiron was booked but his wife was released on cite.
Nebraska law does not allow for marijuana possession or cultivation, and there is no medical marijuana program in the state.
On Thursday York County Attorney Christopher Johnson filed a criminal complaint against Patrick Jiron, according to court records.
Johnson is charging Patrick Jiron with three felony counts: possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, with intent to distribute, a Class IIA felony; possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, more than one pound, a Class IV felony; and no drug tax stamp, also a Class IV felony.
A Class IIA felony has a minimum penalty of no imprisonment up to a maximum of 20 years in prison, according to the Nebraska penal code.
The penal code said a Class IV felony is punishable by a minimum of no imprisonment and nine months post-release supervision, and a maximum two years imprisonment and 12 months post-release supervision or $10,000 fine, or both.
Failing to have a drug tax stamp comes from the Nebraska Marijuana and Controlled Substance Act, which requires anyone who illegally acquires or possesses six or more ounces of marijuana to pay the Nebraska Department of Revenue $100 per ounce.
In the Jirons’ case, that would have required a $96,000 payment. Paying that tax also doesn’t provide immunity for a dealer from criminal prosecution under state or federal law, the state revenue department reported.
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