Fremont County Pot Grower Indicted In Federal Court

A federal grand jury has indicted a Riverton man for growing hundreds of marijuana plants, according to Jan. 14 indictment.

Luke Jackson Tilghman is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 or more plants. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency regards marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it is a drug "with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse."

If convicted, federal sentencing guidelines state he would serve not less than five years and not more than 40 years imprisonment. The government will seek detention and there are other jurisdictions looking at Tilghman's case, according to the indictment.

Tilghman's name surfaced during the investigation of a Casper man who was found growing 54 plants in his house in Paradise Valley in December.

The case started Dec, 14 when investigators with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the Casper Police Department learned of a large marijuana growing operation at 372 Oleander St., according to court records.

Two days later, authorities searched the residence, found a multistage marijuana growing operation, and collected 54 suspected plants. Buds of the plants weighed more than 375 grams without packaging.

Neil Arcuri, 35, was charged in state court with one felony count of possession of a controlled substance -- marijuana, one felony count of possession a controlled substance -- marijuana -- with intent to deliver, and one misdemeanor count of cultivating a controlled substance -- marijuana. Last week, Arcuri waived his preliminary hearing, and that sent the case to district court for trial. He is free on $20,000 bond.

Authorities found information with Arcuri about another operation and passed it to other DCI narcotics agents and authorities.

On Dec. 17, they executed search warrants at two places in Fremont County and seized approximately 640 high-grade marijuana plants, additional bulk marijuana, and an undetermined amount of cash.

Tilghman, 33, was arrested on charges unrelated to the marijuana investigation.