Guilty Plea In Weed Pipeline Case

SNOW HILL — A Bishopville man arrested in June for allegedly operating a pipeline of marijuana from California to Worcester County pleaded guilty this week to possession with intent to distribute and was sentenced to five years in jail, all but one of which was suspended.
A joint local, county and federal drug investigation conducted over several months last spring led to the arrests of several local residents allegedly involved in the transportation of a significant amount of marijuana from California to Worcester County.
Members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, along with the Ocean City Narcotics Unit, the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in June concluded a six-month marijuana distribution investigation with a significant pot bust. During the course of the investigation, a suspect identified as Michael Gates, 24, of Bishopville, was monitored as he traveled back and forth from the Redding, Ca. area to Worcester County. Gates is believed to have been facilitating the transportation and shipments of numerous packages of high-grade marijuana from California to Maryland.
During the month of May, the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team executed multiple search and seizure warrants at various residences and a storage facility in the county that Gates used to facilitate his alleged operation. At the conclusion of the investigation, a total of 7.5 pounds of marijuana was seized along with roughly $30,000 in cash.
Gates was arrested and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Also arrested was David J. Gates, 28, of Bishopville, who charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. In addition, Michael T. Herr, 23, of Berlin, was arrested and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
This week, Michael Gates pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He was sentenced to five years in jail, all but one of which was suspended. Gates was also placed on probation for three years and fined $2,500.
Earlier this fall, David Gates pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to three years with all but four months suspended. He was also fined $1,000 and placed on probation for three years. In November, Herr pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana over 10 grams and was sentenced to 90 days with all but 10 days suspended.