A Puyallup man arrested Wednesday for investigation of manufacturing marijuana at his Pierce County home also owns a house in Kent.
Jeremy P. Capodanno, 36, is the same man who shot and killed two intruders in December at his Puyallup residence. He was indicted last week by a grand jury for manufacturing marijuana and two counts for discharging and possession firearms in furtherance of a drug crime, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office media release.
Capodanno is scheduled to make his initial appearance Thursday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.
Officers who investigated the shooting reportedly found nearly 200 marijuana plants in the garage loft. They also found Capodanno in possession of a 9mm pistol (allegedly used to shoot the two men). Police found in Capodanno’s truck a XM-15 rifle, another 9mm pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun and a Carbon 15 pistol.
“This defendant chose to enter the illegal drug business, and armed himself to protect his trade, not his home,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan in the media release. “His conduct brought thieves to his door, put his 7-year-old son at risk, and ended with him taking two lives.”
The indictment charges Capodanno with manufacturing marijuana because of the large grow operation found in the loft of his garage. He is charged with carrying the Glock and firing it in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime and is charged in the third count for possessing the four other weapons.
The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which means the government will seek to forfeit property that the grand jury has alleged was used in commission of the crimes or was purchased with marijuana proceeds. The properties include the defendant’s house in Puyallup, where the where the shooting occurred, as well as a second house in Kent, along with a 2008 Mercedes and a 2008 Toyota pickup truck. The government is also seeking to forfeit the guns used in the crime.
“As you can see, freedom without responsibility results in violence and bloodshed,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agent in charge Matthew G. Barnes. “I commend United States Attorney Jenny Durkan and our state and local partners for standing together against drug trafficking and gun related violence.”
Manufacturing marijuana is punishable by five to 40 years in prison. If convicted of all charges, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison.
The case is being investigated by the DEA nd the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.
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