Previously Legal Marijuana Farmer Convicted of Sex Offense Then Arrested for Cultivation and Other Charges

This is a press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

Shane Timothy Earl Sawdon

On 05-17-2018 at approximately 9:00 AM, members of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office County of Mendocino Marijuana Enforcement Team (COMMET), assisted by Wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Officers from the Ukiah Police Department served a Mendocino County Superior Court search warrant on Shane Timothy Earl Sawdon.

Sawdon had been identified as being a convicted sex offender, who was running a marijuana cultivation operation in the 8000 block of Gibson Lane in Potter Valley, California.

Prior investigation revealed Sawdon had obtained a Mendocino County permit and a State of California permit to operate a cannabis cultivation site previous to being convicted as a sex offender.

The California Health and Safety Code prohibits persons convicted of serious violent offenses and those offenses for which one must register as a sex offender from cultivating marijuana or processing marijuana. Thus, when Sawdon was convicted for the crime which required him to register as a sex offender pursuant to section 290 of the California Penal Code, he was prohibited from cultivating marijuana.

Upon contacting Sawdon during the search warrant, Sawdon indicated he was residing in a mobile home located at the marijuana cultivation site during the week and at an address in Willits, California where his sex offender registration states he lives on the weekends.

During the investigation, evidence indicated Sawdon was not living in Willits as he had registered pursuant to his sex offender registration requirement and it was believed he was living full time at the marijuana cultivation site in Potter Valley. This was a violation of the terms of his registration requirements as a sex offender.

During the service of the search warrant, approximately 1,500 marijuana plants were located along with some processed marijuana.

Additionally, a handgun was found in Sawdon’s residence and he was determined to be a person prohibited by law from possessing a firearm due to prior criminal convictions.

Sawdon was booked into the Mendocino County Jail for cultivation of marijuana as a person prohibited by law due to a conviction requiring registration as a sex offender; Possession of marijuana for sale; being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm; and failure to register a new address as is required pursuant to section 290 of the California Penal Code.

Sawdon was to be held in lieu of $25,000.00 bail.

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15 Comments
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Soon-to-be Former County Supervisor Ryan Dumberg
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Soon-to-be Former County Supervisor Ryan Dumberg
5 years ago

Of course he had a gun. What did you expect? Being a convicted sex offender, drug-dealer & gun nut all go hand-in-hand in this part of the world.

CoveTroll
Guest
CoveTroll
5 years ago

Yeah. Anyone who owns a gun is a sex offender. Lmao

Bushytails
Guest
Bushytails
5 years ago

… I don’t get it. Is there some trend of people getting stoned and deciding to commit violent sexual crimes now? What possible relation is there between cultivating marijuana and being a sex offender?

anon
Guest
anon
5 years ago
Reply to  Bushytails

What is there to get? Its a privilege to grow, there are all kinds of black market opportunities and gray areas in the business, violent felons should be denied that privilege. Can’t be trusted.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Bushytails

Kinda does go against the hot button idea of emploment opportunities for former convicts. But then he didn’t seem to care much about being law abiding in any aspect of his life so there it is anyway.

John
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John
5 years ago
Reply to  Bushytails

Ah, Bushytails, the possible relation there is between cultivating marijuana and being a sex offender is that such activities as manufacturing drugs (and that’s just exactly what it is) tends to attract every sort of unsavory type there is out there. Another possible relation is that no good can come of any of this negative crap. Was yours a real question or were you just being sarcastic?

Sharpen your pencil
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Sharpen your pencil
5 years ago
Reply to  John

Lol, you should not be attempting to answer any related question, well maybe you know something about the pedaphyl business. But you obviously know nothing about marijuana, if you think growing a plant is manufacturing [edit]

Realiy Czech
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Realiy Czech
5 years ago
Reply to  Bushytails

Didn’t you see Reefer Madness? Stoners are all crazed with sex.

ED Denson
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ED Denson
5 years ago

I don’t see Garberville in this article. He was living in Potter Valley and Willits, they arrested him in Potter Valley I think.

ThanksLEO
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ThanksLEO
5 years ago

Nice work!!!!

Farce
Guest
Farce
5 years ago

They didn’t say that they cut down and chipped up those plants? So did they just leave them standing? I know 1500 plants is nothing these days (maybe only 5000 pounds in October) but still….shouldn’t they cut them down?! Or are you all cool with sex offenders blowing an extra 5000 pounds into your super-flooded market because y’know… weed is wonderful medicine and growers are awesome and cops suck-that usual knee-jerk local reaction?

Cove broseph
Guest
Cove broseph
5 years ago
Reply to  Farce

“ maybe only 5000 pounds “

Ok grow bro og , 5000 pounds is a lot of bud

gunther
Guest
gunther
5 years ago

25K bail. They’re really cracking down on crime.

Lt Joe
Guest
Lt Joe
5 years ago

It’s hard to believe he had a gun with all the strict california gun control laws, especially those related to felons.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
5 years ago
Reply to  Lt Joe

Agreed. The only answer is more gun laws.