15 arrested in Hayfork marijuana bust

On October 3, 2011 Officers from USFS, NSMIT, CHP and Trinity County NTF served three Federal search warrants in the Hayfork area of Trinity County. Two of the property’s were owned by Bryan Schweder on Dirt Road and Highway 3 in Hayfork and the third property was owned by Brian Pickard on Dirt Road in Hayfork. From these three sites there were a total of 593 growing marijuana plants and over 1,150 pounds of processed marijuana. Fifteen suspects were arrested, among them were the owner Bryan Schweder and co-owner Karen Niemi and eight Mexican Nationals. There were eight firearms seized, two were assault weapons and one was reported stolen. Also, over $35,000.00 in U.S. currency was seized. Two Proposition 215 recommendations were posted at the Pickard property on Dirt Road. On Schweder’s property on Dirt Road three 215 recommendations were posted and on his property on Highway 3 six 215 recommendations were posted.

 

On October 4, 2011 Officers from USFS and Trinity County NTF collected evidence and eradicated over 1,100 marijuana plants from a marijuana cultivation site in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest that has been linked to the Schweder and Pickard properties. There are still a few outstanding suspects and further investigation is being conducted on individuals associated with Schweder and Pickard.

 

On October 5, 2011 Officers from USFS and NSMIT served a Federal search warrant at another property owned by Brian Pickard in Cottonwood where Pickard was taken into custody.

 

United States Forest Service (USFS)

North State Marijuana Investigation Team (NSMIT)

California Highway Patrol (CHP)

Trinity County Narcotics Task Force (Trinity County NTF)

 

Bryan Schweder, DOB: 08/20/62, Hayfork, CA

Karen Niemi, DOB: 07/29/79, Hayfork, CA

Efren Rodriguez, DOB: 01/15/66, Valley Springs, CA

Lovey Thomas, DOB: 03/15/71, Tracy, CA

Frederick Holmes, DOB: 09/21/64, San Leandro, CA

Rafael Reyes, DOB: 02/07/90, Mexico

Barron Lopez, DOB: 06/07/70, Mesa, WA

Fernando Reyes-Mojica, DOB: 05/06/77, Mexico

Manuel Madrigal, DOB: 10/22/70, Mexico

Juan Vargas, DOB: 05/14/88, Raceport, WA

Victorino Betancourt-Meraz, DOB: 03/04/73, Bakersfield, CA

Oseas Tolentino, DOB: 08/06/89, Fishport, WA

Filiberto Tapia, DOB: 02/06/58, Mexico

Leonardo Tapia, DOB: 08/23/90, Corning, CA

Osiel Alvaraz, DOB: N/A, Mexico

 

11358 HS – Plant/Cultivate/Etc Marijuana/Hashish

11359 HS – Possess Marijuana/Hashish For Sale

12021.1(a) PC – Illegal Possession/Etc of Concealable Firearm

182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime

11377(a) HS – Possess Controlled Substance