Pot-growing Everett father gets 4 years in prison

EVERETT — An Everett man convicted of illegally growing marijuana and involving his children in his indoor pot farm was sentenced to more than four years in prison Thursday.

Before he was sentenced, Brian Sledge, 40, turned to face a Snohomish County Superior Court room full of medical marijuana supporters and apologized to his family and others.

“If I had it to do over again, I would not grow cannabis in my home,” he said.

Prosecutors initially charged Sledge and his wife, Jenny Sledge, with growing and selling marijuana out of the family’s north Everett home in November 2010. Charges later were dropped against Jenny Sledge.

The children told investigators that their dad paid them to help tend the plants.

The Sledges had paperwork authorizing them to use and grow marijuana for medical purposes. Police maintained the amount seized was at least double what could be considered necessary for the Sledges’ care, according to investigators.

The couple came to the attention of authorities after one of their children told state social workers and police that her father was growing marijuana in the basement. The girl told authorities that she was “tired of always smelling like marijuana,” according to court papers.

The children, who were in middle and high school, also told investigators that Brian Sledge had them help him mix soil, cut plants and hang them to dry. They said they’d seen their father sell marijuana multiple times.

Detectives raided the house Nov. 3, 2010. The front and back doors were reinforced with metal brackets, and 2×4 boards barricaded the doors. Detectives found 29 marijuana plants growing in a closet in the master bedroom. In the basement, which was reached through a trap door underneath the stairs, detectives found 38 additional plants.

The defense argued that Sledge was providing marijuana to people who needed it for medical conditions.

Many of those attending the sentencing wore red buttons that read “Stop Arresting Patients.”

Prosecutor Janice Albert said an investigation into the family’s finances turned up well over $100,000 in income that couldn’t be accounted for.

She said the money indicated to her that Sledge’s actions were not all about compassion, but greed.

Judge Bruce Weiss said he believed the defendant loves his family and was sincere in believing that he was helping people. His sentence was the low end of the range.

At the same time, the judge said he was struck by the testimony of Sledge’s children.

“It certainly has impacted the children tremendously,” Weiss said.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.