United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FRESNO, CA - Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams and United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that United States Magistrate Judge Dennis L. Beck ordered Mark Bagdasarian, 53, of Clovis, detained following a violation of the conditions of his release.

Bagdasarian was arrested Wednesday for statements that he posted on his blog telling clients of his Buds 4 Life store that a store in Southern California would sell marijuana to them at his rate of $10 and that he would vouch for them. At today’s hearing, Judge Beck found that there was no set of conditions that could secure compliance since Bagdasarian had violated the conditions of his release within a week.

On October 13, 2011, Bagdasarian was indicted for conspiring to cultivate and distribute marijuana and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it. He was also charged with cultivating marijuana.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Elana S. Landau and Kevin P. Rooney are prosecuting the case.

Mark and his son Ryan Bagdasarian, who is also charged in the case, are scheduled to appear for a status conference before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill on Friday, November 4, 2011.

The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.