MARIJUANA CO-OP FOUNDER GETS PRISON

Courts: Marvin Chavez, who said he served a medical need, is sentenced to 6
years.

The founder of Orange County,s first medical-marijuana co-op was
sentenced to six years in prison Friday for selling and transporting
pot,despite pleas from more than two dozen supporters saying his
crimes were acts of mercy.

Lawyers for Marvin Chavez,45,of Santa Ana will appeal.

"I truly believe he was acting as a good Samaritan," said a trembling
John Kauffman ,a juror who voted to convict Chavez in November."There
has not been a night I have gone to bed without wondering where Marvin
is and what course his life is taking because of my decision in this
courtroom."

Orange County Judge Thomas Borris noted the receipt of 26 letters
supporting Chavez, but gave more weight to a harsh probation report.
The report-which was promptly sealed,along with the letters-said
Chavez knowingly violated the law and induced others to commit
crimes,and concluded that Chavez was a poor candidate for probation
because of his past arrest record.

"Mr. Chavez still feels he is not guilty of the offenses," probation
officer Arlene C. Beacom wrote. "He has expressed a determination to
travel around the state to 'educate' the population as to the positive
aspects of medical marijuana use."

Retired Deputy District Attorney Carl Armbrust painted Chavez,45, as
an opportunistic cocaine trafficker turned marijuana dealer who tried
to hide behind California's medical marijuana law.

Some supporters cried as Chavez was led away in handcuffs. "I made my
mistakes,and I paid for them,"he said."I try to reach out to work with
officials.I try to create a white market as opposed to a black market."