Major pot bust nets one year

Robert R. Richter, Maple Valley, who was alleged to have more than $32,800 in cash and almost nine pounds of marijuana in his truck, was sentenced to one year in jail Wednesday in Whitman County Superior Court. Richter was also ordered to pay $16,600 in fines and fees with $10,800 of that for restitution to the jail, including costs for administering work release. He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

Richter was arrested last Nov. 30 at Albion as the result of a Quad Cities Drug Task Force investigation started by tips from an informant. Between 50 and 75 pounds of marijuana allegedly had been sold to the informant over a period of five years, according to the arrest report filed with the case.

Richter was convicted of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. The state sought an exceptional sentence because of the large amount of marijuana involved in the case. Deputy Prosecutor Dan LeBeau asked the court to sentence Richter to 18 months.

In a pre-sentence filing, LeBeau said the state’s case would show 3,887.3 grams were found in Richter’s truck plus $32,843. It noted a normal user purchase of marijuana involves 3.5 grams.

The arrest report said the informant’s alleged purchases were done in quantities of two to three pounds at a rate of $3,200 per pound. Officers were informed Richter normally sold the marijuana out of a black back pack and zipped the cash in a side pocket. One feature of the back pack was skull ornaments attached to the zippers.

When officers arrested Richter at Albion they spotted the black backpack with the skull decorations in the back and obtained a warrant.

Richter was allowed to return home to make arrangements before starting his jail sentence. He was ordered to report to jail June 4.