An Oroville man pleaded no contest on March 10 to maintaining a place for the sale of marijuana, a felony.
Tong Kou Thao was arrested Dec. 9 on suspicion of trafficking narcotics. He was charged with five felonies including the cultivation, attempt to sell and possession of marijuana, maintaining a place to sell a controlled substance and child endangerment.
Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force agents searched his property at 1 Berry Court in Oroville and seized 500 pounds of marijuana, over $40,000 in cash and a video of Thao surrounded by an estimated $500,000 cash in which he talks about the sale of marijuana, according to a statement by Deputy District Attorney Matthew C. Taylor.
Christi Yang Thao, who lives at the same address, was arrested shortly after Thao and faced three felony charges in connection with the items found on their property.
On March 10, Thao pled no contest to maintaining a place for narcotic traffic. He pled not guilty to the remaining four counts and agreed to forfeit $85,820 to the state, according to his criminal plea form.
The other four charges were dismissed under a Harvey Waiver. which allows the court to consider dismissed charges during sentencing.
The other four charges were dismissed under a Harvey Waiver. which allows the court to consider dismissed charges during sentencing.
Christi Thao’s case case also dismissed as a result of his plea.
Thao faces up to three years in a state prison. His sentence hearing is scheduled for April 7.
By Samantha O’Reilly