Pubdate: Fri, 24 Apr 2009
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2009 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Author: Charles E. Brown

2 PLEAD GUILTY IN MARIJUANA-SEED OPERATION

A pair from Vancouver, B.C., pleaded guilty in Seattle's federal 
court on Friday to involvement in a marijuana-manufacturing 
operation. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle said Michelle 
Rainey, 38, and Gregory Keith Williams, 54, voluntarily appeared in 
Seattle to resolve charges stemming from a 2005 grand jury indictment.

A pair from Vancouver, B.C., pleaded guilty in Seattle's federal 
court today in a marijuana-manufacturing operation.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle said Michelle Rainey, 38, and 
Gregory Keith Williams, 54, voluntarily appeared in Seattle to 
resolve charges stemming from a 2005 grand-jury indictment. The 
attorney's office said the two were employees of marijuana-seed 
distributor Marc Emery, who remains in Canada while fighting 
extradition to the U.S. on similar charges.

Terms of plea agreements for Rainey and Williams include recommended 
sentences of two years probation. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17.

According to court documents, Rainey worked for Emery, who billed 
himself as the "prince of pot," from 1998 to 2005, assisting with 
Emery's mail-order marijuana-seed business, which had many U.S. customers

Court documents said Williams handled phone orders and also sold 
seeds directly to customers. Authorities said Williams had sold seeds 
to a Drug Enforcement Administration undercover agent. Authorities 
said Emery's seed operation took in more than $3 million annually.

Emery is scheduled for an extradition hearing in Canada on June 1.
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