Mastermind of Huge ‘Pot’ Operation Pleads Guilty
Lancaster plumbing contractor Frank E. Gegax pleaded guilty in an Arizona federal court Thursday to a charge of masterminding an operation that grew thousands of marijuana plants in sophisticated underground plantations in the Antelope Valley and Arizona.
Under an agreement with the U.S. attorney’s office, Gegax, 48, pleaded guilty to a charge that he conspired to grow and sell more than 20,000 marijuana plants, and a lesser count of money laundering, carrying a maximum 12-year term. In exchange, the prosecution will ask for dismissal of two charges of possession of marijuana with intent to sell, punishable by a life sentence.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
