Pierce County Marijuana Grower Who Killed Two Intruders Pleads Guilty To Drug And Gun Crimes
SEATTLE - A Puyallup, Washington man who shot and killed two men who had entered the garage where he was growing marijuana pleaded guilty on October 25, 2013, in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to manufacturing marijuana and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Jeremy Peter Capodanno, 36, was charged by a federal indictment and was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration on April 17, 2013.
On December 6, 2012, Capodanno, 36, shot two people who had broken into the garage of his Puyallup residence - killing both of them. In the garage loft was a marijuana grow with nearly 200 plants. When police officers arrived, they found Capodanno in possession of a Glock 17, 9mm semiautomatic pistol, which is the gun that Capodanno used to kill the two men. While searching Capodanno’s truck, police found additional marijuana as well as other weapons including a Bushmaster XM-15 assault rifle; an Intratec Tec-9 9mm pistol; a Benelli 12 gauge shotgun; and a Professional Ordinance MDL Carbon 15.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Capodanno is forfeiting nearly $670,000 in proceeds from the sale of two properties -- his Puyallup home and a second home in Kent, Washington. Capodanno is also forfeiting a 2008 Mercedes, a 2008 Toyota pickup truck and five firearms seized at the crime scene. Use of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking carries a five year mandatory minimum term. Sentencing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton on January 17, 2014.
The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement (DEA), the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and (ATF).
