Tools

Frankfort man pleads guilty to federal marijuana growing charges

By WKTV News

Story Created: Sep 24, 2012 at 4:03 PM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 24, 2012 at 4:08 PM EDT

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WKTV) - A Frankfort man has pleaded guilty to federal charges in regards to what authorities call a massive marijuana growing operation.

According the U.S. Attorney's Office, Corey Leitz, 41, of Frankfort, pleaded guilty on Monday in Federal Court in Syracuse to manufacturing more than 1,000 marijuana plants. As part of the plea, Leitz admitted that from August 2011 until December 14, 2011, he knowingly manufactured marijuana plants at 162 McIntyre Road in Frankfort and set up and maintained a marijuana manufacturing operation inside a barn at the location.

By December 14, 2011, authorities said Leitz had successfully grown 3,200 marijuana plants and then sold the marijuana he manufactured to numerous customers in Herkimer County and elsewhere, authorities said.

This marks the second felony drug conviction for Leitz who has a prior felony drug conviction in 1998 in Herkimer County.

At sentencing, which is set for January 29, 2013, Leitz faces a mandatory 20 years imprisonment with a potential maximum of life imprisonment. Following his incarceration, authorities said Leitz would be subject to a minimum 10 years of supervised release up to life and a fine of up to $20,000,000.

What's On