Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Article Last Updated: 05/22/2008 08:17:41 AM PDT
The Daily Journal
A Mendocino County jury deliberated eight hours before finding Russell Rexrode, 41, of Fort Bragg, guilty of felony marijuana cultivation Wednesday.
Rexrode was arrested Oct. 17, 2005, after California Department of Fish and Game law enforcement Lt. Lynette Shimeck found evidence of marijuana cultivation while investigating reports that Rexrode had a mountain lion cub at his Old Caspar Railroad Crossing property.
A search warrant served on the site by the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office revealed 119 pounds of processed marijuana, 60 growing marijuana plants and $3,600 in cash, according to law enforcement reports.
During the trial, Rexrode, his wife, Sara, and several other character witnesses testified that Rexrode was working as a caregiver for a number of medical marijuana patients. The defense also brought in marijuana expert Chris Conrad, who testified that the weight of seized marijuana was only 20 percent of that claimed by law enforcement.
"This was an extremely important case for our office," said District Attorney Meredith Lintott. "Commercial marijuana growers who hide behind the medical marijuana laws are now advised they can be convicted of a felony, even in Mendocino County."
Rexrode is scheduled for sentencing at 8:30 a.m. June 25.
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