TRAFFICKING:

2016. The group allegedly grew marijuana on a property in Oroville and shipped it through the United States Postal Service.

In December 2015, Heath traveled from California to Pennsylvania, transporting for sale close to 90 kilograms of marijuana – worth just under half a million dollars – with his co-conspirators in a separate vehicle. Heath, who had the marijuana in his vehicle, along with a loaded Glock firearm and his deputy sheriff’s badge, was arrested by York County law enforcement when he arrived to make the sale.

Heath’s co-conspirators – Ramona Long, Ryan Jay Falsone and Tyler Neil Long – all pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Heath was the last of the group to be convicted.

A sentencing date for Heath has been tentatively scheduled for Aug. 16, said Dawn Mayko, a public information officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The maximum penalty for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking is life imprisonment. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute 100 kilograms and more of marijuana is 40 years. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit money laundering is 20 years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for the additional drug trafficking count Heath was convicted of is 20 years.

Heath also has pending firearms charges in Butte County.