A Fort Wayne man who admitted his role in a major marijuana trafficking ring has been sentenced today to 14 years in prison under the terms of his plea agreement.
Michael Fabini was arrested in December 2012 on more than 40 charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and unlawful financial transactions after police raided his home and eight other locations uncovering a massive marijuana distribution operation.
Fabini’s lawn care business served as a front for the drug trafficking. The Allen County Drug Task Force and FBI had been investigating his role in the drug ring since the fall of 2007.
Fabini pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana as well as selling drugs for money in November 2014. As part of the plea deal, 42 other charges were dismissed.
According to Fabini’s attorney, inmates are required to serve 85 percent of their sentences in the federal system. Upon release, he will be on supervised probation for five years.
Fabini will also lose his house, personal items, $5 million and several 529 college planning accounts under the terms of his plea deal. Many of his personal items will be auctioned off.
Three other men have been indicted in relation to this case as well. Marshall Butler is still awaiting sentencing. Jamison Gudorf was sentenced to 27 months in prison in 2014. And Matthew J. McChesney is serving 27 years in prison after more than 3.5 tons of marijuana was found at a home on Antwerp Road in 2008.
Source: WANE