70-Year-Old Riverhead Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Charges

Photo: Pablo/Flickr Creative Commons

A 70-year-old Riverhead man has pleaded guilty to growing approximately $3.8 million worth of marijuana, and prosecutors expect to confiscate approximately $13.6 million in assets, according to Riverhead News Review.

In September 2013, the Internal Revenue Service and the Suffolk County Police raided 1600 Osborne Avenue in Riverhead, and charged Edward Dispirito, 70, and James Ford, 55, with conspiracy to distribute marijuana, Newsday reported.

The two were accused of taking in millions of dollars from a hydroponic marijuana growing and distributing scheme, according to Newsday.

On Aug. 7, Dispirito pleaded guilty in Eastern District Court to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to launder money. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Dispirito’s attorney, Patrick Broderick of Flushing, said his client worked as a self-employed garbage contractor, Riverhead News reported. Dispirito consented to forfeiting the items turned up in the raid, including the house on Osborne Avenue as well as a 2007 Ford Mustang.

Investigators said that Dispirito had stolen electricity from LIPA/PSEG in the amount of $250,000, Riverhead News Reported.

Dispirito has until Dec. 8 to pay the forfeiture, and then he must appear before the judge for sentencing it was reported in the Riverhead News Review.

The case against Ford is still pending.