A federal judge in the District Court of Guam sentenced former math teacher Vincent John Quitugua to 57 months in prison on 6 July 2017.[1] Quitugua, 47 and from Piti, was sentenced for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and for maintaining a drug-involved premises.[2] He had taught math at Jose Rios Middle School for eight years.[1] The prosecutor told the court he was living a double life, teaching by day and distributing marijuana by night.[1] The court ordered him to pay a $200 mandatory assessment.[2]

Drug Enforcement Administration agents and Homeland Security Investigations officers searched two homes on Edward Lane in Piti in March 2016.[3] He was indicted on March 16 on charges including manufacturing marijuana and maintaining drug-involved premises.[3] One three-bedroom residence held 121 marijuana plants in different phases of growth, which the prosecutor valued at about $145,000.[1] Investigators found 429 grams of processed marijuana, $72,922.50 in cash, four firearms, four scales, glass pipes and paraphernalia.[2] The court ordered the seized currency, firearms and ammunition forfeited to the U.S. government.[2]

Quitugua told investigators he had been growing marijuana for about a year in anticipation of being licensed as a legal grower of medicinal marijuana.[1] Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood said it was alarming that a teacher was running a sophisticated grow house, but found him remorseful and commended him for staying clean.[1] Charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana were dismissed.[1] The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the methamphetamine sales and the marijuana grow ran close to a middle school.[2]