CASE OF INTEREST

PEOPLE v. MICHAEL REITMEIER; MICHAEL URZICEANU

Contact: Caroline Park,
Deputy District Attorney
(916) 874-5771

District Attorney Jan Scully announced today that Michael Reitmeier and Michael Urziceanu will be sentenced on June 20, 2002, by the Honorable Judge Judy Hersher after being convicted by a jury on May 23, 2002, of cultivation of marijuana charges.

On July 27, 2002, pursuant to a probation search, Citrus Heights Police Department and Sacramento Sheriffs Department detectives conducted a search of Defendant Urziceanu’s home in Citrus Heights. The search revealed evidence that Defendant Urziceanu had leased a 1300-square-foot warehouse in Carmichael. A subsequent search of the warehouse revealed a sophisticated indoor grow operation of 385 marijuana plants, including moveable grow lights, ballasts, and a drip irrigation watering system. Defendant Reitmeier was found tending the plants.

Both defendants presented a medical marijuana defense pursuant to Proposition 215, codified in Health and Safety Code section 11362.5.  The jury rejected this defense in returning verdicts of guilt. 

Defendant Urziceanu also has two pending cases with co-defendant Susan Rodger, both involving the selling and cultivation of marijuana, under the guise of a cannabis buyers club. Those cases are expected to begin in July of 2002.

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