Two Men Plead Guilty After Marijuana Raids

Two Flathead County men have pleaded guilty to federal charges filed after a raid at a medical marijuana dispensary in Olney.

Ryan Gifford Blindheim, 35, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and money laundering. His Black Pearl dispensary was one of 26 across the state that was raided by federal agents in mid-March. Agents seized 488 plants and 70 pounds of marijuana.

Also Tuesday, 25-year-old Evan James Corum of Whitefish pleaded guilty to money laundering for his role at the Black Pearl dispensary.

Both hearings were held before U.S. Magistrate Jeremiah Lynch in Missoula.

Sentencing was set for Dec. 1 for Corum. Blindheim faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison when he is sentenced on Dec. 9.

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