An Apollo man was sentenced to just over three years in prison following a conviction on marijuana distribution charges, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady announced Wednesday.
Stephen Lerch, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV.
Brady said Lerch was receiving packages of marijuana and THC vaping cartridges from a source in Colorado. In early October 2018, officers and Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a search warrant on Lerch’s residence and recovered marijuana, two firearms, a money counter and more than $25,000 in cash.
Funds from S&T Bank and TD Ameritrade in Lerch’s name were also seized by investigators, Brady said. In all, Lerch forfeited more than $102,000 and a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek.
His request for a sentence of home confinement was denied, with the judge citing the serious nature of the charges.
Members of the DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Jefferson County West Metro Drug Task Force in Colorado worked together on the investigation.
Charges against five people in Jefferson County, Colo., involved in the case are also pending, according to West Metro Drug Task Force Det. Therese Gist.
