Christie has been held without bail since his arrest and a federal judge called him “a danger to the community.” The other co-defendants are free on bail.
A co-defendant of Roger Christie, founder of The Hawaii Cannabis Ministry in Hilo, has made a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
Michael B. “Dewey” Shapiro, 63, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Honolulu of conspiracy to possess and distribute 284 marijuana plants. In exchange for his plea, three other marijuana-related charges were dropped. Shapiro, who is cooperating with prosecutors, faces a prison term of five to 40 years when he is sentenced. He could also be fined up to $2 million.
According to the plea agreement document, Shapiro admitted to selling Christie, 62, marijuana on three separate occasions in 2009, a total of 3 1/2 pounds for $10,800. He also implicated other co-defendants whom he said grew marijuana for Christie and Christie’s then-girlfriend Share St. Cyr., another co-defendant who has since married Christie.
Those Shapiro said grew or supplied Christie with marijuana include Richard Turpen, Wesley Sudbury, Donald Gibson, Roland Ignacio, Perry Policchio, John D. Bouey III and Aaron Zeeman.
Shapiro also said that Christie recruited Susanne Friend and Timothy Mann to grow marijuana for the ministry, and that they grew 284 marijuana plants confiscated by authorities.
Christie and 12 other Big Island residents were arrested by federal and local law enforcement officers on June 8, 2010. Sudbury was arrested later.
Christie has been held without bail since his arrest and a federal judge called him “a danger to the community.” The other co-defendants are free on bail.