YOUNGSTOWN 6 face charges in pot factory

The government wants forfeiture of defendants' property.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Just before being charged with operating a marijuana factory, businessman Joseph C. Pedaline set in motion the transfer of 15 properties, county records show.
For nearly three years, Robert L. Arroyo, owner of the B & amp;O Station Brewery and Restaurant and his former partner, Pedaline, operated the indoor pot farm in a warehouse near downtown, the government said. They and four others are now under federal indictment.
The government has asked that all six defendants forfeit any and all property derived from the proceeds of the marijuana growing operation.
On Monday, Pedaline delivered a notarized document to the Mahoning County Auditor's Office that listed 15 properties he wanted to be transferred to Crim Real Estate Investment Co. on Market Street. Pedaline didn't have the money with him for the transaction. Questions arose on ownership of three properties and the auditor's office realized that the notarized document was dated ahead -- March 29, 2004.
On Tuesday, a woman acting on Pedaline's behalf went to the auditor's office to record the deeds. She was advised of the discrepancies and the incorrect date and left with the intention of returning today, the auditor's office said.
Federal indictment
Also Tuesday, a three-count federal indictment was unsealed in U.S. District Court that names these defendants:
UArroyo, 56, of 630 Marshall St., owner of the B & amp;O, 530 Mahoning Ave. and, until January, co-owner of a warehouse at 814 Marshall St., where marijuana was being cultivated.
UPedaline, 51, of 585 Early Road, owner of 814 Marshall and, until last summer, co-owner of the B & amp;O.
UMichael L. Ciprian, 47, of 45 Florist Ave.
UPamela D. Woodward, 47, of 287 Granada Ave.
UShane Wagner, 30, of Lora Avenue.
UJeffrey Zimmerman, 48, of 5615 Breezewood Drive, Brookfield.
All six defendants are charged with conspiracy to cultivate with intent to distribute marijuana and cultivating marijuana (in excess of 1,000 plants). Zimmerman is also charged with cultivating marijuana (in excess of 100 plants).
Arroyo also has a home on Eliot Lane, and Wagner has a residence in Strongsville, records show.
Arroyo, Pedaline, Woodward and Wagner made their initial appearance Tuesday in federal court. Magistrate Judge George J. Limbert set signature bonds and they were released from the custody of U.S. marshals.
Once arrested, Ciprian and Zimmerman will appear in federal court.
DEA investigation
The Drug Enforcement Administration, acting on tips, began its investigation in December 2003. The time span in the indictment is June 1, 2001 through Feb. 25, 2004.
On Feb. 25, the DEA task force raided the enormous marijuana factory that operated out of Pedaline's warehouse, a few blocks from the B & amp;O. Agents found 3,850 plants in various stages of growth.
Nationally, it was the largest indoor marijuana growing operation uncovered by the DEA this year.
At the time of the raid, DEA Special Agent Douglas Lamplugh said that once harvested, the high-grade marijuana -- found growing in seven rooms -- would have a street value of $1,500 to $2,500 per pound. He said one plant generally yields 1 pound.
Calculating 3,850 pounds at $1,500 to $2,500, that's $5.8 million to $9.6 million street value.
The DEA, with assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, investigated the case, and Linda H. Barr and Roger S. Bamberger, assistant U.S. attorneys, are prosecuting.
An unidentified cooperating defendant told the DEA that Pedaline "orchestrated activities at the grow site, to include instructions regarding care of the marijuana plants as well as payments to [his] associates who tended and/or worked at the marijuana cultivation site at 814 Marshall St."
Search warrants
In search warrant returns filed in federal court March 2, DEA agents identified Ciprian as an active participant in the pot factory. Ciprian's red pickup truck was seen, almost on a daily basis during DEA surveillance the past three months, entering the indoor marijuana farm on Marshall Street.
Search warrant returns and affidavits also show that agents raided these locations associated with the indoor marijuana farm:
U216 Lora Ave., Youngstown, owned by Pedaline. Agents seized employee records and various utility bills.
U585 Early Road, Youngstown, owned by Pedaline. Agents seized "pot shop" business cards, loose marijuana, potting soil, miscellaneous paperwork and more.
U45 Florist Ave., owned by Ciprian. Agents seized numerous bags of "green vegetation," hydroponics potting soils, a scale, miscellaneous paperwork and more. The contents of his bank account -- $17,757 -- at First Place Bank on Market Street, Warren, was seized.
Agents received consent to search:
U287 Granada Ave., the residence of Woodward. The contents of her bank account at Charter One Bank on Belmont Avenue -- $3,060 -- was seized. Her black vehicle was seen by DEA agents, almost on a daily basis during surveillance the past three months, entering the warehouse using a remote garage door opener.
U5615 Breezewood Lake Drive, Brookfield. Agents seized 116 pot plants. Records show the property is owned by Zimmerman's mother. Zimmerman was seen by DEA agents outside the warehouse in the company of Ciprian. Zimmerman was also seen at 45 Florist, Ciprian's home.
meade@vindy.com