Pubdate: Fri, 18 Aug 2006
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2006 The Tribune Co.
Contact: http://www.tbo.com/news/opinion/submissionform.htm
Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Author: Elaine Silvestrini, The Tampa Tribune
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1079/a05.html
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1060/a08.html

He Says No Force Made Him Agree To Grow

PARTNER IN POT VENTURE TESTIFIES

TAMPA - When Rocco Sarley Jr. heard from a buddy that he could invest 
in new houses, get his money back and turn a large profit, he thought 
it was too good to be true.

But then, Sarley said, his friend, Herbert Ferrell Jr., explained 
there was a lot of money to be made in indoor marijuana growing.

Sarley was testifying in Ferrell's trial in connection with a ring 
that grew marijuana inside upscale houses across the Tampa Bay region.

Ten people, including Sarley, have pleaded guilty and agreed to 
cooperate with the government.

The prosecution rested Thursday afternoon, and the defense is 
scheduled to begin presenting its case Monday. Attorney Joseph 
Bodiford told U.S. District Judge James Moody that Ferrell will testify.

Bodiford has told jurors his client was entrapped by government informants.

Sarley, though, said no one forced him to get involved in the ring. 
"It was just a mistake I made," he said.

Sarley testified he went along with Ferrell's proposal. "I wanted, I 
guess, a better lifestyle," Sarley said. "I wanted the money."

Another member of the ring, Yasmany Same, testified that Ferrell 
helped him launder money from growing marijuana by making it look 
like Same was employed by Ferrell's business, Dermal Screening Center.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman