11 Held in Drug Ring Charges Plead Innocent

Eleven members of what is being called one of the nation’s largest drug rings pleaded innocent Monday in federal court here to a variety of charges involving narcotics trafficking between California and Nevada.

Federal Magistrate Phyllis Halsey Atkins set Nov. 25 as a tentative trial date for the 11. Nine others, who are allegedly members of “The Organization,” will be arraigned later.

Atkins denied a motion on behalf of Richard (Buster) Tilton, 59, of Carson City, to be released on bail. Tilton, facing five counts, was a one-time football star at the University of Nevada.

Numerous Arrests

The magistrate said Tilton has numerous arrests in the past 20 years and two convictions in drug cases. She called him a “career criminal.” She also denied bail for Darrel Fitch, 44, of San Diego, charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute drugs. She said that while Fitch does not have an arrest record, the indictment shows he was a key figure in the drug trafficking for several years.

The magistrate also turned down a plea by Michael Morton, 29, of Moundhouse, Nev., to be allowed to have a gun to go duck hunting.

Those who pleaded innocent were Fitch, Tilton, Morton, Robert D. Rowen, 44, Washoe Valley, Nev.; Katherine Rupley, 25, Reno; Danny Rupley, 25, Sacramento, Calif.; Richard Rupley Jr., 18, Redding, Calif.; Debra Morton, 30, Moundhouse, Nev.; Charles Herrman, 28, Sparks, Nev.; Heather Herrman, 21, Sparks, and Tesesa Platt, 23, Sacramento, Calif.

Used Marijuana Farm for Base

Authorities said the ring operated a 45-acre marijuana farm in Shasta County, Calif., and a methamphetamine lab, also in California. They estimate that ring members made more than $5 million in profits.

More than $1 million in property has been seized since the arrests were made earlier this month. The FBI said this was one of the largest drug rings in the nation and the arrests should put a major dent in the narcotics traffic in Nevada and California.

The ring leader was identified as Richard P. Rupley Sr., 44, of Sparks, Nev., who has been serving a term for a felony drug charge in Redding.