Elk Grove Electrician Pleads Guilty to Pot Growing Scheme

A 53-year-old electrician from Elk Grove pleaded guilty to being part of a 2011 marijuana-growing operation, authorities announced Friday.

Kelly Smith helped to set up a grow house on Lazulite Court in Elk Grove and at a warehouse on Florin Perkins Road in Sacramento, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner's office said in a press release.

In February 2011, 317 pot plants were seized from the Lazulite Court house, and 401 plants were seized from the warehouse in June of that year, the press release said.

San Diego resident Robert Klaus, 35, provided "cloned starter plants" for the Elk Grove grow house, according to the press release.

Galt resident Bruce Goldsmith, 61, pleaded guilty to growing marijuana at his home, according to the press release. He allegedly said the pot was bound for R&R Wellness, a medical marijuana store in south Sacramento that has since closed.

Klaus and Smith each face a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison; Goldsmith faces a maximum sentence of 20 years. They're scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 16.

"This case is the product of an investigation by the Elk Grove Police Department with the assistance of the Sacramento HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Task Force," the press release said.

--

Sign up for the free Elk Grove Patch newsletter | Like Elk Grove Patch on Facebook | Follow @ElkGrovePatch on Twitter | Blog for Elk Grove Patch