Former Lawyer Sentenced In Marijuana Grow House Case
PHILADELPHIA, PA. - Richard K. Creamer, 39, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to five years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture 1,000 or more marijuana plants and maintaining a place for the manufacture of controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Creamer, who was a practicing attorney, was convicted in December 2010 after a jury trial in connection with the establishment and operation of a marijuana grow house located inside a warehouse that Creamer owned in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. The case resulted in two separate indictments charging a total of 12 others. All 12 defendants pleaded guilty, with some testifying at trial against Creamer.
The purpose of the grow house, at 2306 - 2310 N. American Street, was to manufacture marijuana for sale. The marijuana was packaged in multi-pound quantities for distribution in Philadelphia and elsewhere. According to trial testimony, the monthly yield of the grow was from 15 to 22 pounds of high grade marijuana that was sold for $5,000 to $5,500 per pound. Testimony also showed that Creamer regularly received a 30-35% share of the monthly yield to distribute.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Joel H. Slomsky ordered Creamer to five years of supervised release, to pay restitution to the Philadelphia Electric company in the amount of $91,943.08, and to pay a $200 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement (“DEA”), and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph T. Labrum, III.
