(Woodland, CA) – October 14, 2019 District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced that two individuals, Ruben Corza, 32, of Redwood City, and Victor Banuelos, 22, of Corning, were arraigned Friday on three felony marijuana cultivation violations due to environmental harm, along with enhancements for being armed during the commission of a felony. The charges stemmed from a search warrant that was served on September 12, 2019, by the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office and Fish and Wildlife Services near Cache Creek Regional Park just off County Road 40 at Highway 16. During the search over 1000 plants were found along with two rifles, and evidence of harm to the environment due to water diversion from Cache Creek and unlawful waste and refuse within 150 feel of water.
In September, the DA moved to expunge over 700 marijuana related convictions. At that time, District Attorney Jeff Reisig stated that moving forward his focus would be on prosecuting individuals who damage the environment through illegal marijuana cultivation.
Corza and Banuelos have pleaded not guilty and currently have a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 18, 2019, in Department 7 of the Yolo County Superior Court. They are both out of custody after having posted $20,000 in bail.
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