Man Charged With Possessing Over 100 Pounds of Pot

An Ohio man accused of intending to sell over 100 pounds of marijuana made his initial appearance in Albany County District Court on Monday.

Michael Thomas Heater, 25, pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession with intent to deliver. If convicted on both counts, he could spend 15 years in prison and pay $20,000 in fines.

Heater was arrested along with Nuvia G. Carrillo, who faces identical charges, after the vehicle they were traveling in was stopped for speeding on Interstate 80.

A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper stopped a white Jeep Patriot with Ohio tags at milepost 298 on I-80 eastbound Feb. 22. According to the trooper’s affidavit, Heater and Carrillo were the only occupants of the Jeep.

Court documents say the trooper smelled marijuana and became suspicious of criminal activity. Carrillo reportedly told the trooper there was nothing illegal in the vehicle. When the trooper asked permission to search the vehicle, Carrillo said no.

The trooper deployed his K-9, and the dog reportedly alerted to the rear fender well on the passenger side of the vehicle.

A search of the Jeep turned up four cell phones, four debit cards and four compressed bundles of marijuana hidden in luggage and the spare tire compartment, according to court documents. The affidavit says the four marijuana bundles weighed about 112 pounds.

Judge Jeffrey Donnell set Heater’s trial for Sept. 7-8. Heater remains free on bond.