Guilty verdicts in federal pot-smuggling case

Written by Press Republican

Friday, September 10, 2010

Andrea VanValkenburg

CONSTABLE — A Westville man is facing up to 40 years behind bars after being convicted of federal charges for his involvement in a large-scale pot-smuggling ring.

Timothy Fleury went on trial in Albany earlier this week and was found guilty Friday of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and attempted possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Much of the case stemmed from the 27-year-old's high-speed ATV chase with federal authorities in May 2008 when he was caught smuggling marijuana from Canada through the woods near Trout River.

During the chase, two Customs and Border Protection officers, who responded to a tripped sensor, shot at Fleury as he tried to run them down on his ATV, striking the Franklin County native in the torso.

Despite being shot, Fleury fled the area but was located nearby a short time later after an uninvolved area resident sought help for the bleeding criminal.

Fleury was hospitalized for two weeks after the shooting and was later arrested for the smuggling attempt.

Authorities said they discovered 370 pounds of marijuana ditched in the woods after Fleury fled.

During his arrest, Fleury was also charged for his role in a 2007 undercover drug-buy sting that led to the seizure of $123,000.

Authorities said Fleury was one of the main smugglers involved in a massive drug ring that operated between the U.S. and Canada since 2004.

Franklin County District Attorney Derek Champagne, who worked closely on the case with federal authorities, said Fleury now faces anywhere from five to 40 years in prison on the three charges.

Fleury is now in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending his Jan. 5 sentencing in Albany.

He could also be fined $2 million and faces at least four years of supervised released.

Champagne said he was "pleased with the verdict" and hopes it sends a message to others that smuggling attempts at the northern border will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Source: http://pressrepublican.com/breaking2/x885940454/Guilty-verdicts-in-federal-pot-smuggling-case

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