Leader of Nationwide Marijuana Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 220 Months in Prison

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Anthony Guidry, Sr., a/k/a “Ant,” 46, of Vallejo, Calif., was sentenced today to 220 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for leading a nationwide conspiracy to distribute California-grown marijuana via the mail and common carriers to distribution outlets in approximately a dozen states across the country, including Virginia.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Daniel Cortez, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service; Earl Cook, Alexandria Chief of Police; and Colonel David Rohrer, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

“Mr. Guidry led an extensive, nationwide marijuana distribution ring that targeted young markets, especially college campuses,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “He told conspirators that getting caught with marijuana means nothing but a slap on the wrist. Today, he was slapped with an 18-year tour in prison. We are committed to going after traffickers that make millions while placing young people at risk to this dangerous, addictive gateway drug.”

“The FBI continues to work with our law enforcement partners to eradicate drug traffickers who penetrate our communities and ply their illegal trade in our neighborhoods,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin.

“This investigation once again puts those who choose to use the U.S. Mail to distribute marijuana or any other illegal narcotics on notice that they will not just get a slap on the wrist. They will be prosecuted to the fullest for their criminal activity,” said Inspector in Charge Cortez.

Guidry was among 19 individuals charged in June of this year for their involvement in the conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. To date, 18 of those individuals have pleaded guilty.

According to court documents, Guidry was the ringleader of a nationwide conspiracy to distribute premium California-grown marijuana to high-demand markets across the country. Guidry focused on extending his enterprise as far as possible, recruiting distributors to help open distribution centers in cities and college campuses in states including Virginia, Georgia, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. He and several co-conspirators possessed firearms and used threats of violence to further and protect their criminal enterprise.

Over the course of several years, Guidry managed and controlled the distribution of marijuana by co-conspirators. They were able to obtain wholesale amounts of the drug for as little as $1,200 a pound, which they then resold at the retail level for as much as $5,000 per pound. Members of the conspiracy, including Guidry, controlled numerous bank accounts through which proceeds from marijuana sales were laundered, as well as used couriers to fly around the country to pick up bulk cash payments and return them to California. Investigators conservatively estimate that the conspiracy generated more than $3 million in proceeds.

The arrests of these 19 individuals were a result of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation being conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Alexandria and Fairfax County Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa Owings and Sean P. Tonolli are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.