2 MEN GET PRISON AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO MANUFACTURING MARIJUANA

ST. GEORGE - Two men pleaded guilty Monday to manufacturing marijuana and
were sentenced to prison.

William Albert Cudd, 53, of Hawaii, and James Harry Wright, 49, of
Summerville, were charged June 5 after 303 marijuana plants in various
stages of growth were found in a storage building on a frontage road off
Interstate 26 near Harleyville. Numerous items of related equipment also
were found, Deputy Solicitor Robert Robbins said.

Wright had leased the building, and Cudd was staying at it, Robbins said.
The owner went to look at his property. When Cudd would not allow him
inside and then fled the scene, the owner called the Dorchester County
Sheriff's Department, Robbins said.

Wright surrendered to police, but Cudd fled the area. He was later found
and arrested, Robbins said.

Cudd has two previous convictions for possession of marijuana with intent
to distribute. Because of those prior charges, Circuit Judge Luke Brown
sentenced Cudd to 15 years in prison. Under current sentencing rules, Cudd
must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence.

Wright had no prior convictions. He was sentenced to five years in prison,
suspended to three years. He must serve one-fourth of the five years, or
one and a half years, before being eligible for parole.