FRESNO, Calif. (AP) – A 29-year-old Mexican man has pleaded guilty to charges connected with an elaborate marijuana growing operation at Sequoia National Park that caused significant damage to the park’s spring wildflower display.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Toribio Cruz-Galvan entered guilty pleas Monday to conspiring to grow and sell the product.
Investigators found more than 1,000 marijuana plants – more than 50 pounds worth – growing in the Yucca Mountain area of the park.
Fertilizer, rodenticide, propane tanks and 300 pounds of trash were removed from the site, which officials say consumed more than a million gallons of water diverted from a nearby spring.
The native of Michoacan, Mexico, faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine when he’s sentenced July 20.
