BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A man faces up to more than four years after being found guilty of several charges, including operating an illegal marijuana dispensary.
A Kern County jury found Jose Francisco Perez guilty of operating an illegal marijuana dispensary, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and possession of marijuana for sale.
The Kern County District Attorney’s Office said on August 3, 2022, the Department of Cannabis Control, with the assistance of the Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, served a search warrant at “Hemp Boys,” an illegal marijuana dispensary located at 2507 South Chester Avenue in Bakersfield.
The DA’s office said Perez was found at the business with keys to the dispensary on him.
According to the DA’s office, the search into the illegal dispensary found the PG&E utility bill was under Perez’s name. Additionally, Perez’s wallet, along with a firearm and ammunition, were found in a safe located in one of the backrooms of the dispensary.
Evidence at the trial revealed that Perez threatened a former employee and other witnesses into leaving town and tried to dissuade a witness from testifying at trial, according to the DA’s office.
District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer commented by saying, “Cracking down on illegal
