A marijuana consultant who worked with the
Flandreau Santee Sioux
Tribe on a failed marijuana operation was sentenced in South Dakota for his role in the controversial case.
Jonathan Hunt, 44, only had to pay a $500 fine and court costs after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess more than one-half pound but less than one pound of marijuana. There was no jail time imposed and the records of his case will now be sealed.
"I feel free," Hunt told The Associated Press. "I think the whole thing never should have happened."
Hunt was pursued by the state even though the activity for which he pleaded guilty occurred in Indian Country.
Attorney General Marty Jackley, a Republican who served as a top federal prosecutor during the Bush administration, asserted jurisdiction over non-Indians on the reservation as part of the case.
“Jonathan Hunt has been sentenced for his role in the Flandreau marijuana grow case. A marijuana resort is a violation of both state and federal law that would create public health and safety issues across South Dakota,” Jackley said in a
press release on Tuesday.
Jackley prosecuted a second non-Indian consultant for working with the tribe.
Eric Hagen was found not guilty in May after a trial in state court.
The tribe has not said whether it will resurrect plans for the marijuana operation. All crops were destroyed in November 2015 out of fear of a raid by the federal government.
Read More on the Story:
Tribe's marijuana consultant pays fine, court costs
(The Associated Press November 21, 2017)
Relevant Documents:
Department
of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country
(October 2014)
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