Marijuana Suspect's Hearing Set

MARIJUANA SUSPECT'S HEARING SET FRESNO -- A 58-year-old Winton man indicted by a federal grand jury on marijuana-growing charges is awaiting a hearing in federal court. Dustin Robert Costa, also known as the Rev. D.C. Greenhouse, was arrested recently on federal charges of cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking offenses. A detention hearing is scheduled Wednesday for Costa in Fresno Federal District Court and a status conference is scheduled for Aug. 22, said Assistant United States Attorney Karen Escobar, who is prosecuting the case. Court documents indicate Costa reportedly was growing marijuana at his Winton residence in early 2004. Merced County Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force agents reportedly found 908 growing marijuana plants and 8.8 pounds of processed marijuana at his home. According to his Web site, Costa is a cannabis patient and a caregiver to patients. United States Attorney McGregor Scott said that although California voters passed Proposition 215 in 1996, which legalizes marijuana for medical use, marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, as affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court last June. Escobar said Costa faces a mandatory-minimum five years or a maximum of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 for each drug charge. For the gun charge, Costa is facing a mandatory consecutive term of five years. Costa remains in custody at the Fresno County Jail, Escobar said. "Costa has been flaunting the law for months now under the guise of Proposition 215," Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin said. "What Costa has done is take the original intent of medical marijuana and has used it for his own agenda."