Menu
$150,000 in marijuana nets $10,000 bond
Two men charged with transporting 25 pounds of high-grade marijuana across Interstate 70 could face up to six years in prison after their alleged efforts essentially went up in smoke.
Kenny Pereyra, 22, Manassas, Va., and Anthony Bourdie, 26, Indianapolis (but listed as being from Fairfax, Va., on his driver's license), are both facing felony charges of dealing in marijuana of more than 10 pounds and possession of marijuana in excess of 10 pounds.
They were stopped Tuesday morning while allegedly transporting the marijuana five miles west of Cloverdale, near the 36-mile marker of I-70.
Pereyra and Bourdie -- who were reportedly traveling from Colorado to Virginia when their ill-fated journey took a detour in Putnam County -- made separate court appearances in front of Putnam Superior Court Judge Denny Bridges earlier this week.
The judge entered not-guilty pleas on their behalf, but not before noting that the Level 5 felony count of dealing in marijuana carries a sentencing range of 1-6 years in the Indiana Department of Correction, while possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, is punishable by up to 180 days in jail.
The high-quality marijuana,reportedly discovered in duffel bags in the trunk of their 2015 Nissan Altima, carries a street value of $150,000, Indiana State Police estimated.
A high-grade variety of marijuana known as "Hydro," it is reportedly produced in a controlled environment using enriched liquid nutrients. Street value of Hydro in the eastern United States reportedly runs as high as $7,500 per pound.
Judge Bridges set bond for both men at $10,000 cash-only, which drew objections from each suspect during their individual appearances.
"I live 10 hours away from here," Virginia resident Pereyra protested Wednesday afternoon.
That, the judge noted, is precisely the reason for the cash-only bond, a deterrent large enough to ensure the suspect will return to face charges, should he actually post bond and be released from jail.
"And we don't want to have to send these guys to come get you," the judge added, nodding toward the Sheriff's Department personnel in the courtroom.
Bourdie, meanwhile, lobbied for being allowed to post just 10 percent of the $10,000 bond in order to be released.
"I'd like to request a speedy trial," he then interjected.
Setting that request in motion, the judge appointed Austin Malayer as Bourdie's public defender and set a pretrial conference for 8:30 a.m. May 6.
"And the bond stays at $10,000?" Bourdie asked.
"Yes," Bridges tersely responded.
"Cash?" the defendant asked in keeping the argument alive.
"Talk to your attorney about it," the judge countered. "There are bond alternatives."
He also warned Bourdie that he needs to obtain an Indiana driver's license since he lives in Indianapolis but still carries a Virginia license.
"I've only been here three months," the suspect replied.
Bridges advised that a license change is required in 60 days.
"You need to get on that," he said, "or when you get out you'll be arrested for that, too."
Pereyra, meanwhile, will have a pretrial conference at 8:30 a.m. May 18. He indicated he would retain private counsel to represent him.
The marijuana case unfolded Tuesday morning as Trooper Yan Dravigne stopped the suspects' eastbound car about 11:45 a.m. for a traffic violation of following too closely in the left passing lane of the interstate.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case, after the stop Dravigne "observed increased and abnormal nervousness from the vehicle occupants" and "detected several inconsistencies between the driver and passenger's statements."
Believing criminal activity was afoot, the trooper called for assistance from Putnam County Sheriff's Department Major Dwight Simmons and his K9 unit "Bo," who indicated a positive hit on the car for the odor of drugs.
A subsequent check of the trunk revealed two nylon bags filled with marijuana, Dravigne noted.
Following their hearings, both suspects were returned to the Putnam County Jail.