Juan Cornejo (27), Rigoberto Galvan (29), Jose Gomez (20), and Andres Aeriola (39) were all sentenced to state prison for their involvement in the cultivation of a large scale outdoor marijuana garden and possession of marijuana for sales, along with firearms activity.

In April of 2008, the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the California Department of Fish and Game became aware of a marijuana garden in the Fay Creek, Canebrake State Ecological Reserve, located in Tulare and Kern Counties. From April to July of 2008 the Department of Fish and Game conducted surveillance on the site. Several of the defendants were observed making multiple trips from their homes in the northern part of Tulare County into Kern County and up to the site area in Fay Canyon.

On July 19, 2008, four separate teams of law enforcement searched Cornejos’ house, Galvan’s house and two garden sites. At Cornejo’s house, Fish and Game wardens located 9.5 pounds of marijuana, a scale, 251 rounds of ammunition, a loaded .22 cal rifle, six cell phones, pay-owe sheets and $4,200.00. At Galvan’s house, Fish and Game wardens located $1,700.00 in cash and were advised by Galvan’s girlfriend that the money was part of Galvan’s pay out from the marijuana, minus his share for supplies. At the garden site, officers arrested Gomez and Aeriola, both of whom were armed. A total of 4,108 marijuana plants were eradicated.

The garden site area had been stripped clear of native plants, and water was being taken from a creek bed. It took eight Fish and Game wardens 116.5 hours to remove the garbage, camp site debris and other items from the site. A state biologist indicated that it could take years and thousands of dollars for the garden site area to be restored.

The Honorable Judge James Hollman sentenced Cornejo to three years in state prison and ordered him to pay $1,890.00 in fines and restitution. Galvan was sentenced to sixteen months in state prison and ordered to pay $970.00 in fines and restitution. Gomez was sentenced to two years in state prison and ordered to pay $2,320.00 in fines and restitution. Aeriola was sentenced to two years in state prison and ordered to pay $1,170.00 in fines and restitution. All defendants have been ordered jointly and severally to pay restitution to the California Department of Fish and Game in the amount of $6,357.76 for the cost of cleaning up the garden site.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Michelle Wallis and investigated by Warden Doug Barnhart of the California Department of Fish and Game. In addition, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department STEP Unit, the United States Forest Service, the California Highway Patrol, and the Kern County Sheriff’s Department assisted in various aspects of the investigation.

Contact Person: Shani Jenkins, Assistant District Attorney (559) 733-6411