Sentence Given To Partner Of Stamford Man In Federal Pot Case

STAMFORD, CT — A 40-year-old Eugene, Oregon man, was sentenced Thursday 24 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, in connection with marijuana trafficking scheme that involved a Stamford resident, announced United States Attorney John H. Durham.

In addition to prison and supervised release sentence, U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton also ordered John G. Koukouras to pay a $4,000 fine.

According to court documents and prosecutors, in the summer of 2017, Koukouras and Stamford resident William Reyes utilized a residence located in Lagrangeville, NY "to grow, process and distribute marijuana." On July 26, 2017, investigators executed a federal search warrant at the Lagrangeville home and seized approximately 140 marijuana plants and equipment used to grow, process and distribute marijuana.

Koukouras was subsequently arrested in Eugene in September of last year, at which time investigators searched that location and seized approximately 50 marijuana plants and equipment used to grow and process marijuana.

"The investigation also revealed that Reyes was being supplied with large quantities of marijuana by Gustavo Garcia, of Queens, NY," according to Durham. "In July 2017, Garcia delivered approximately 40 pounds of marijuana to Reyes in exchange for approximately $80,000."

On November 15, 2017, Koukouras pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

Judge Arterton ordered Koukouras to report to prison on March 13, 2018. He is currently free on a $25,000 bond; Reyes and Garcia have pleaded guilty to related charges and await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Stamford Police Department and New York State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Sarala V. Nagala.

Image via Shutterstock