Pubdate: Fri, 31 Aug 2007
Source: Quad-City Times (IA)
Copyright: 2007 Quad-City Times
Contact:  http://www.qctimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/857
Author: Jennifer Meyer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

EX-WILTON MAYOR FOUND GUILTY ON DRUG CHARGE

DAVENPORT -- A verdict of not guilty on money laundering charges 
Thursday brought a short-lived smile of relief to the former mayor of 
Wilton, Iowa, who was convicted later in the day on drug conspiracy charges.

Outside the U.S. District courtroom in Davenport where his three-day 
trial was held, Richard "Dick" Summy said he was "a little surprised" 
by the jury's guilty verdict on conspiracy to manufacture and 
distribute marijuana. The jury deliberated about two and a half hours 
before reaching a decision at about 3:30 p.m.

According to U.S. District Court documents, Summy was convicted of 
conspiracy to manufacture 100 or more marijuana plants. Because it 
was 100 or more plants, he faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence 
of five years.

Hours earlier, Summy smiled as he talked with his two brothers and 
sister outside the courtroom after Judge John Jarvey made a directed 
verdict of not guilty on a charge of conspiracy to launder money.

Jarvey said evidence was not introduced during the trial to support the charge.

He is scheduled for a status hearing Nov. 30, prior to sentencing. He 
was ordered to surrender to U.S. Marshals on Oct. 26.

Wilton mayor for two years, Summy was arrested in September 2006 for 
dealing marijuana grown indoors by two Keokuk men, including one of 
Summy's former coworkers.

Summy bought the marijuana, usually in one-pound quantities, from 
Randy Anderson and Roger Houston, then sold it to a third-party, 
according to testimony. The third party was a confidential informant 
for law enforcement.

Summy said he accepted responsibility for distributing the high-grade 
marijuana, but asserted he was innocent of conspiring to grow it and 
to launder money.

Defense attorney F. Montgomery Brown said during closing arguments 
that Summy engaged in "arms-length transactions" with Anderson and Houston.

"He bought from them and he sold. Those are his only actions," Brown said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifford R. Cronk, however, said Summy became 
a critical part of the conspiracy between the Keokuk men.

"He reached an understanding: He's going to pay them and they're 
going to keep growing," Cronk said. He said Summy was the "sole 
provider of finances for this grow operation."

Conspiracy can include either participating in a criminal activity, 
or aiding and abetting the crime by doing something to help it succeed.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman