SENTENCES FOR GROWING MARIJUANA COSTLY FOR 3

Three men who admitted growing nearly 1,000 marijuana plants in
Snohomish County last year have forfeited homes, cars, cash and their
freedom after pleading guilty to federal drug trafficking and money
laundering charges.

Joshua C. Stansberry, 28 and brothers, Thomas L. McCarty 31, and Shawn
McCarty, 28, entered the pleas Thursday in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

The trio were arrested in September as part of an investigation by the
Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force. A series of raids at homes in
Arlington, Monroe and Duvall turned up high-quality pot crops with an
estimated value of $1.75 million.

The indoor pot-growing operations were "very professionally wired,
professionally set up," task force commander Pat Slack said. "It was
definitely a network. These guys were all operating together."

Stansberry pleaded guilty to growing marijuana and money laundering. A
total of 535 pot plants were found in homes he owned or rented in
Monroe and Duvall, according to court papers.

The McCarty brothers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to grow marijuana
and conspiracy to engage in money laundering.

Thomas McCarty admitted 176 pot plants were growing in the Arlington
home where he lived. Shawn McCarty admitted 457 plants were growing in
the Monroe-area home he owned.

All of the men face prison sentences of five to 40 years behind bars,
plus fines of up to $2 million. Information on when the sentences will
be imposed was not immediately available.

Each has agreed to forfeit to Snohomish County property that was used
for drug trafficking or purchased with drug money.

Thomas McCarty forfeited interest in the Arlington home, two sport
utility vehicles and $100,000 cash. His brother gave up interest in
the Monroe home, ownership of a truck, a van, two snowmobiles and more
than $7,000 cash. Stansberry forfeited two trucks, a 2000 Yamaha
motorcycle, a 2003 snowmobile, a utility trailer and $11,000 cash.

Federal prosecutors took the case because of the size and scope of the
drug conspiracy, which occurred in both Snohomish and King counties.

State charges are anticipated against additional suspects, Slack
said.