Former police lawyer pleads guilty to reduced drug-lab charges; prosecutors won't recommend prison
A former Salt Lake City lawyer and his two sons pleaded guilty on Friday to reduced charges stemming from an alleged drug lab at their home that was used to make a marijuana byproduct.
James Wesley Robinson, 51, pleaded guilty to operating a clandestine lab and drug possession, both second-degree felonies, and possession of firearms by a restricted person, a third-degree felony, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. He had previously worked as an assistant state attorney general and as a lawyer for the Salt Lake City police department.
Prosecutors had alleged that Robinson and his sons were making a marijuana byproduct called “dab” or “shatter,” which fetches a better price than marijuana, the story says. Police said they found the drug lab when responding to a report of a burglary at the home.
Police said they found marijuana, drug paraphernalia, lab equipment, grow lights, guns and about $26,000 in cash in the home.
Robinson’s sons, Alexander Jordan Robinson, 21, and Zachary Ryan Robinson, 19, pleaded guilty to second-degree felony operation of a clandestine lab and third-degree felony drug possession with intent to distribute, the story says.
Defense lawyers told the Salt Lake Tribune that prosecutors agreed not to seek prison sentences for the trio. Sentencing is set for Feb. 13.
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