Cannabis Crime Ring: Early Plea Deals Lead to Jail Time

Last week, a handful of men involved in a massive cannabis theft ring pleaded guilty in Santa Cruz County. The case, dubbed "Operation Sticky Fingers" by the California Attorney General's Office, saw 24 people charged across nine counties. Over nine months, these individuals were accused of breaking into 15 cannabis dispensaries after hours, stealing around 1,000 pounds of marijuana plants and other items worth over $1 million. This wave of thefts took place amidst the signing of new laws by Governor Gavin Newsom, aimed at toughening penalties for property crimes. In Santa Cruz County Superior Court, four of the 18 co-defendants present were convicted of organized retail theft. They received sentences of 90 days in jail and two years of probation. These plea deals were part of an agreement brokered by Deputy Attorney General Bennie Mackey, who is handling cases across multiple counties. Six of the break-ins occurred in Santa Cruz County alone.

The four convicted men—Deron Harrison, Trevon Jamerson, Alvin Lovett, and Jordan Rixter—will also pay individually calculated restitution. Judge Nancy de la Peña gave them until the end of January to start their jail time or enter a diversion program if eligible. Other co-defendants have hearings scheduled in December and April to confirm their preliminary hearings. Two defendants have an extended deadline of October 24 to accept the plea deal offer. Those named in the case include Jaedon Woods, Dante Williams, and others, none of whom are Santa Cruz County residents. This case highlights the ongoing issue of organized retail theft in the cannabis industry and the legal system's response to it.

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