U.S. District Judge R. Brooke Jackson sentenced Margarito Yepez-Sanchez, 25, to 36 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to manufacture and possess with intent to distribute 100 or more marijuana plants.[1] The sentencing hearing took place on 15 November 2018 in case 17-cr-00372-RBJ-2, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily May.[1][2]

Federal agents had discovered the illegal grow in the San Isabel National Forest in central Colorado in August 2017, and officers from several agencies executed a federal search warrant on the site on 20 September 2017.[1] The grow held about 13,800 marijuana plants and at least 120 pounds (about 54 kg) of processed marijuana across some 12 acres of federal land.[1] The camp had sleeping areas, kitchens, drying areas and a man-made reservoir, and agents found insecticide, rodenticide and fertilizer.[1] Yepez-Sanchez fled uphill when officers announced themselves and was caught after a foot chase in which officers deployed a Taser.[1] He had been charged by criminal complaint on 21 September 2017 and pleaded guilty on 10 August 2018.[1] The U.S. Forest Service and Homeland Security Investigations ran the case, assisted by immigration officers, the Custer County sheriff and the Colorado National Guard.[1]