Pot king gets 27 years in $6M bust

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The man involved in Allen County's largest drug bust was sentenced to 27 years in prison in federal court Friday.

Back in 2008, police found three tons of marijuana valued at $6 million, along with guns, including an AK-47 in his rented home on Antwerp road near Harlan.

Because of the amount, the case went to federal court. McChesney pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, and carrying a firearm while committing a drug trafficking crime.

During the proceedings, McChesney presented a prepared statement in which he apologized for taking part in the illegal behavior. He apologized to his family for causing sadness, worry, embarrassment, and for the financial hardship. He also said that he hoped to one day make up for all the stress he has caused his family.

U.S. District Judge Theresa Springmann agreed to place him in a correctional facility close to his family and will also advise the bureau of prisons to place McChesney in a residential drug abuse program while he is in prison.

He will also be placed on probation for 8 years following his release.

His fiancée cried as she left the courtroom and his father refused to comment.

The Allen County Sheriff's Department said not only was it the biggest bust in Allen County history, but it was also of the biggest ever in Indiana.

During a traffic stop, police found 12 pounds of marijuana in McChesney's car, as well as $100,000 in cash, which led them to search the home.

“He's a big player, not sure if he's the biggest, but it makes a big dent in the drug supply in Allen County, said Allen County Sheriff Ken Fries.

The minimum sentence was 10 years in prison and to pay a fine of up to $4.2 million. McChesney was not ordered to pay a fine Friday.