‘Don Corleone’ of Port St. Lucie grow house operations sentenced to 45 years
November 19th, 2009 by TCPalm.comFORT PIERCE — “The Don Corleone of the Port St. Lucie marijuana grow house operations” was sentenced Wednesday morning to 45 years in prison.
Roberto Alberto Cepero
Sonia Del Risco Polls
Roberto Alberto Cepero, 48, of Port St. Lucie, stood quietly, his head bowed slightly, as Circuit Judge Larry Schack sentenced him to 30 years in prison for conspiracy to traffic in marijuana, 30 years for trafficking in more than 25 pounds of marijuana and 15 years for racketeering. Schack allowed the two 30-year terms to be served concurrently, but ordered the 15-year term to be served consecutively, making a total of 45 years behind bars.
Sonia Del Risco Polls, 42, Cepero’s girlfriend, was sentenced to seven years in prison: five for manufacture of marijuana and two for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.
A jury found the couple guilty of the charges Oct. 1. Polls was acquitted of a racketeering charge.
Authorities said Cepero oversaw an extensive marijuana growing business and Polls was responsible for teaching “farmers” at several grow houses Cepero controlled how to cultivate marijuana.
The case began after officers from numerous local and state agencies raided several Port St. Lucie grow houses and found plants being cultivated under meticulous conditions in brightly lit, climate controlled rooms that had been sealed tight to avoid detection.
“There’s no question this was a serious operation,” said Schack, who presided over the two-week trial.
Noting that Cepero had organized a structure to minimize the risk of detection and used threats and violence to keep underlings in line, Schack called him “the Don Corleone of the Port St. Lucie marijuana grow house operations,” a reference to the head of the organized crime family in The Godfather books and movies.
Cepero did not address the court; but Polls testified she had “found God” in the two years since her arrest, asking for mercy and a sentence of probation rather than incarceration.
“If you see this face again in trouble with the law,” she told Schack, “never let me out; you can give me life (in prison).”
Authorities said Cepero used his family’s construction business, Global Homes Inc., as a front for the marijuana operation. Both he and Polls also had been charged with mortgage fraud in connection with buying one of the grow houses, but the charges were dropped.
Tyler Treadway, TCPalm.com
Tags: arrests, business, girlfriend, grow houses, marijuana, mortgage, prison, profit, rackeering, trial
Subscribe to TCoastTalk's RSS Feed
Browse the photo galleries here
November 19th, 2009 at 10:53 am
What an absolute pathetic waste of time and money…just sad that our great country is so hung up on a stinkin plant.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Ms. Jones: you are 100% accurate- people who get convicted of murder get less time; pedophiles get less time; rapists get less time. Yeah- real justice.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:16 am
45 years for WEED?!? There are rapists, molesters, murderers, and other violent felons with much shorter sentences. What a disgusting miscarriage of justice.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:25 am
So now taxpayers foot the bill, at $45k a year, to house this guy for 45 years. So his alleged “crime” costs us. Meanwhile the past 4 elected U.S. Presidents have admitted smoking pot.
Prostitution, pot, and gambling should be legalized and taxed.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:28 am
what a joke. The usa has a higher % of people in jail than any other country on the planet.Do we have the most criminals or are we actually the least free people in the world?
November 19th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Here’s the lesson folks. Don’t be upset with this judge. Instead, be upset with the Legislature and yourselves. If we continue to elect “tough on crime” candidates, these are the types of outcomes and laws we’re endorsing. Write your State representative. Let them know you exist and that you’re active. Otherwise, the only real winners are the private prisons.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:34 am
They ought to put in jail people who smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, use illegal drugs, eat dead flesh, lie, covet, listen to RAP and abuse other people. The world would be a better place without scoundrels.
Well done!
November 19th, 2009 at 11:40 am
45 years?? that’s quite excessive for something that’s not some heinous violent crime. sounds to me like the judge is the one that’s high.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
How rediculous. This guy just basically got life, since he will be out at around 90 years old for growing weed.
HEY JUDGE, THANKS FOR THE HUGE WASTE OF OUR TAX DOLLARS. Now the taxpayers will spend 35 grand a year on this guy to stay in prison when all he did was grow weed.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
UNBELIEVABLE !!! There is something SERIOUSLY WRONG with our criminal justice system, when someone in Florida gets 45 years for growing cannabis, and in California there are legal growers and legal sales outlets for the same product. I hope he has a good lawyer who can get him out on appeal. And let’s take Pastor Manning’s and Taxman’s advice. Wasn’t this country founded on the principle that THE PEOPLE are supposed to be in charge? Oh wait - nevermind - that idea went by the wayside a generation or two ago.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
This is an outrage first of all if the goverment can’t make money off of it your getting arrested. Secondly weed is a plant yeah a plant that grows in the ground and brings joy to millions of Americans. So basically the state is telling us that we can molest,kill,steal and get less time for that than weed. Unbelievible how this country works pharmaceutical companies can pump all there dope into the america and kill people legally but,weed which has never killed anyone is illegal. People getting life sentences for this I mean really…
November 19th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
This is B.S!!! A convicted sexual predator gets out on probation after 5 years in jail, but a POT GROWER get 45 years? This guy needs better lawyers. It’s a damn shame. This guy should be picking up trash on the side of the highway, not doing hard time!!! What is going to happen when marijuana gets legalized? You know it’s going to happen in our lifetime. Will all these erroneous sentences be reversed? They should be. I guarantee you Circuit Judge Larry Schack is a closet pothead and grows his own stuff.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Let’s see, “pill mills” are increasing in Palm Beach County, advertise and are drawing addicts from across the southeast.
Floridians are dying by the hundreds each year from these pills.
It was just published that mixing alprazolam with opiates
can be deadly. Thanks to our Prohibition mentality,
there is no attempt at educating people with the real facts about drugs.
In my opinion, “freedom” means self determination.
You make your own decisions. There should be no need for
the government and police to concern themselves with what substances you choose to use.
Government should stick to what it’s better at, collecting taxes. Some of the money could be used for
non-judgmental drug education and treatment for those who
are abusing substances.
Take the rest and make sure we have Social Security and Medicare later in life.
Reality is that a lot of people make a lot of money
from Prohibition (besides drug dealers). Lawyers,
companies that build and supply prisons, police departments that seize private property from drug offenders for their own benefit, the list goes on.
Rational thinking about marijuana is slowly spreading across Europe, the US and some south of the border countries. Momentum is building and the situation will eventually reach a tipping point where marijuana is finally tolerated and people can enjoy the freedom to enjoy it if they so choose.
That day is coming!
November 19th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Yeah, right let him out so he can poison our children. That’s why society stinks.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I’m from WPB and I live in California now. Yesterday I took a picture of a police cruiser parked right out in front of a Coffee Shop. For those who don’t know what that is, it’s a store where you can legally buy marijuana. All you need is a doctor’s recommendation to shop there. For those interested, check out this site: medicannusa.com. It gives insight on the benefits of using medical marijuana. Maybe Florida should try adopting this legislature instead of punishing us for this bullsh*t. I bet all of that judge’s children and grandchildren smoke pot or worse. Once all these old bastards croak, the world will become a better place. I don’t smoke pot but certainly don’t have a problem with it. When have you ever seen someone commit a crime after smoking pot? Never!
November 19th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Guys…everyone’s point here is valid, but for the same reasons it will NOT be DECRIMINALIZE or LEGALIZE for RECREATIONAL USE (mind you, Legalization of marijuana for MEDICINAL purposes have already begun in the past decade or so). Well, at least not anytime soon…its a HIGHLY (haha pun intented) sensitive subject that, believe you me, the legis, senate, repubs, even the darned president(s) have difficulty wondering what to do about the topic. Look, I know of many rec smokers, but that doesn’t mean I trust every one of them or even any for that matter…WHO KNOWS what this “Garbage of an excuse for a man” did to earn his 45 years. But I bet my money that he didn’t “just” grow 25 lbs. of pot for his own smoking purposes…SEE, this is where the topic begins to simmer…I bet this guy would grow a few lbs. here and there…probably sell some off to his buddies (assuming his buddies are his age), smoke some of it himself, then when all he had left was a good 20 lbs., he wasn’t going to perch upon..NO, no business in that…nah, he will go and distribute the stuff out on the the streets…and the topic’s cooking…and sooner than later the street violence begins, kids die, addicts hunger for more brings other drugs into the streets….and don’t get me wrong…the POSITIVE STUFF about “mary jane” is known as well too…Hemp can be used for a variety of sorts…DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL WE CAN SAVE BY USING HEMP OIL???
November 19th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
sorry bout that…hit “submit” early on the last post…Anyhoo…as I was saying, there’s tons of pros and cons on “weed”…it’s just the matter of deciding what to do about it…I heard a theory recently on the WPPost about how much our national debt would be saved if legalization of marijuana does happen (nation wide). But…people like LaQuishaNiqua Jones, Susan and Zunny…you guys are the future of our human race…I can not find any other words to describe you guys…but this world is not ready for that…society does not stink…although mankind has been around for a long time, it’s still young (relatively speaking). People’s curiosity is what living is about.
With that said…just think about it…would you really risk the lives of your kids…your love ones over a plant?? Inhaling or ingestation of smoke of ANY sort does not sound safe for body at all…Would you guys really risk your kids around this stuff??? Would you guys really pick the pros of “weed” over the cons of it…WWJD??
November 19th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
and just to be known…I have NOTHING against weed, it’s just I don’t think we’re ready for that…especially now in this dangerous and deprived recessional state we’re in. Maybe sometime in the future..when people learn to grow up I guess…for now though, lets focus on beating gangs, violence, rapist and murderers out there in the streets…then when everything’s safe and subtle…we’ll blaze one for victory!!!
November 19th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Mixed feelings, you have a better chance of beating gangs and violence with the legalization of pot. It would create a ton of jobs. I’m sure after some pot, they will be right on the couch at home watching TV. Then you can put more focus on the rapists and sex offenders. Why not give it a test run. I bet my life the crime rate would decrease.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
It would also create a ton of revenues. Right now that money stays in the black market which is WHY gangs have so much power. If we legalize it, that will weaken the so called violent pot dealers.
November 19th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Pot smoking can be very addictive and diminish one’s capacity to drive, work, and contribute to society. In a perfect utopia where all of our needs are met and we are all safely cared for, smoking would be cool to hang out and enjoy the scenery and bs with friends. But do we really want everyone legally smokin pot drivin on 95? There would be so many accidents an backups the road would have to be avoided or shut down. Not to mention the carcinogenic risks, mental health risks, etc. It’s fun but I don’t think it’s good for you or society. Sorry.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
As of today, it is ILLEGAL to grow, smoke or distribute weed in the state of Florida. There are many pros and cons to weed. I believe there is a place for it in todays society, however, IT IS ILLEGAL to grow, smoke or distribute weed. Period.
Before GROWING, SMOKING OR DISTRIBUTING weed, make sure it is LEGAL. Then, you won’t have these problems.
Also, check out this guys history. His hands were not clean going into this whole ordeal.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:14 am
ONLY FOR GROWING 45 AND 7 YEARS ;THE JUDGE SMOKE MARIJUANA BEFORE THA SENTENCE , HOW MANY PERSONS IS OUT TO JAIL AFTER KILL,VIOLENCE,ECT THA IS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM .
January 20th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
In this post there have been concerns of violence caused by the illegal sale of marijuana, how legalization would cause more car accidents, and its carcinogenic properties, mental health risks and negative effects on society. Let me put things in perspective.
First of all, as was said earlier, if pot is taken off the black market then the violence will no longer be associated with it. Lets look at history. When alcohol was made illegal during prohibition, it hit the black market and crime and violence followed. We then legalized alcohol again taking it off the black market. In the present time no one worries about the violence that was once associated with the black market sale of alcohol. If this was the case with alcohol why are we so worried about the black market violence carrying over into the legalization of pot. If you are that terrified of violence created by drug markets then you should be for legalization as this would diminish it.
Secondly, more car accidents and backups from legalized pot usage is absurd. Alcohol creates more car accidents than pot ever could and yet it is completely legal. We have passed laws that prevent people from drinking and driving. We have not made alcohol illegal because of the continuing drunk driving problem but yet some think that pot shouldn’t be legal because of this same reason. How hypocritical considering the ones who say this probably drink. In addition, reports of pot causing car accidents should be taking lightly as pot stays in your system for up to months at a time. Testing positive for pot during an accident could be from usage a month prior to the accident. Therefore, not everyone who test positive for pot during an accident was actually stoned at the time of the accident.
Finally, we have those worried about the carcinogenic, mental health, and societal risks. Pot is not as bad as so-called “studies” put out. It’s called propaganda. I am not negating harmful effects to the user’s body but merely the degree to which they are portrayed. Especially when cigarettes are legal. I am for laws against secondhand smoke in public places but at the same I couldn’t give a crap if people want to smoke as long as I am not forced to breathe it. So why is pot any different? We accept cigarettes as a legal substance even though it causes more health problems than pot ever could. As for mental health risks, pot is actually prescribed for mental health problems in states where it is legalized for medicinal purposes. Last but not leas is the societal risks. I say what risks? Legalization would bring societal benefits such as no overcrowded prisons, saving tax dollars, creating jobs, taxing pot, not labeling users as criminals, etc. The list goes on. The only reason pot has negative effects on society are because of laws and rules passed by people. We get arrested for using or buying. We deny people jobs based on a piss test that a drunk could pass instead of actual work performance. We deny young adults scholarships when they want to further their education because of pot arrests. The only negative thing that can be said to come from legalization is laziness and lack of motivation. All I can say to that is we live in America, we are already a fat and lazy society, and I don’t think pot can make it that much worse.♦