Medical Missoula Marijuana Operators Make Court Appearance

Federal prosecutors say two Missoula men have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 43-year-old Shawn Slattery and 43-year-old Andrew Umhey made an initial court appearance on Tuesday.

Court records say the men ran a medical marijuana operation at Slattery's house in Missoula. A search found 32½ pounds of marijuana, buds and 272 marijuana plants.

Umhey also faces state charges of registering as a medical marijuana caregiver for dozens of patients despite having a 1995 federal drug conviction.

If convicted on the federal charges, Slattery and Umhey face maximum sentences of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.

Prosecutors say Slattery and Umhey have been released on special conditions.
Story From The Associated Press