Marijuana ringleader gets 10 years

YOUNGSTOWN — A man who pleaded guilty to money laundering and conspiracy to distribute marijuana in one of the largest marijuana seizure cases in U.S. history has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Peter C. Economus imposed the sentence today on Edwin J. Stupka, 49, who prosecutors said was the leader of the conspiracy. Stupka moved from Youngstown to Tucson, Ariz., in 2003.

Stupka was indicted in May 2006 on charges of laundering nearly $2 million between 1999 and 2002 and conspiracy to distribute more than a ton of marijuana between 1992 and 2003. The charges were linked to an indoor marijuana farm in a warehouse at 814 Marshall Street, in which authorities said Stupka was an investor.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency seized some 3,500 marijuana plants there early in 2004. The high-grade marijuana sold for $3,200 a pound, investigators said.

Stupka admitted attempting to launder $1.7 million through a scheme to buy a chain of coffeehouses in Cleveland. As part of his plea agreement, Stupka has forfeited between $400,000 and $500,000 in cash and properties, according to Roger S. Bamberger, assistant U.S. attorney.