NOT GUILTY PLEA IN MEDICAL MARIJUANA CASE

LOS ANGELES - A Valencia man who ran a West Hollywood medical
marijuana storefront pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug charges.

John C. Moreaux ran West Hollywood Caregivers on Santa Monica
Boulevard, a storefront raided by federal agents twice this year, in
January and once in March.

Sarah Pullen of the Drug Enforcement Administration said she could not
divulge details on what was seized in those raids because the warrants
are sealed.

Moreaux, 29, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to
distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute marijuana;
possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; being a felon
in possession of a firearm; and maintaining a drug premises.

Prosecutors allege he kept a shotgun at the storefront, which was
illegal for him to possess because he has a prior felony conviction.

He was arrested last month, and has been ordered detained pending
trial, which is set for Sept. 11 before U.S. District Judge A. Howard
Matz.

Moreaux's attorney, William Kroger, said his client was operating
within West Hollywood's medical marijuana ordinance, including meeting
monthly with city officials.

"The problem is there's a conflict between the state and federal law,"
Kroger said.