United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BOSTON – A Holland man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to drug and money laundering charges.

Peter Molle Jr., 36, pleaded guilty to two counts of manufacturing marijuana and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute and one count of money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for April 29, 2019. Molle was arrested in December 2017. 

In February 2017, federal agents executed a search warrant at Molle’s residence in Holland where they discovered a commercial-style marijuana grow operation with more than 100 marijuana plants. Even after the execution of the search warrant, Molle continued to engage in substantial black-market marijuana cultivation. In December 2017, agents executed another search warrant at Molle’s house and again located a significant commercial-style marijuana grow operation. The investigation also found that Molle used cash derived from the sale of marijuana to pay for expenses relating to his marijuana business, including to pay down the balance on a credit card that he used to purchase marijuana-related cultivation supplies.

Molle faces a minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million on the drug charges. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

DEA New England Division Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle and United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling made the announcement.