Prosecutor, 51, and his two young sons admit running an underground drug lab

A former attorney who represented Salt Lake City and its police department for over 10 years has accepted a plea deal in order to avoid prison after being charged with operating a makeshift drug lab with this two sons.

James Wesley Robinson, 51, pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree felony operation of a clandestine lab, second-degree felony drug possession and third-degree felony possession of a firearms by a restricted person.

Prosecutors allege Robinson - who was fired from his position in February following his arrest - was making a highly-concentrated marijuana byproduct known as 'dab' or 'shatter' from the basement of his home in Sugar House, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Police found the operation after responding to reports of a break-in at the property.

They then executed a search warrant on February 18 and seized several pounds of marijuana, dozens of bongs, grinders, pipes, rolling papers, scales and $26,230 in cash, court papers obtained by the The Tribune said.

In the basement, police found a pressure cooker with Dab inside, as well as glass tubes, a butane torch and numerous cans of butane.

Dab is made by extracting THC from cannabis using a butane torch. The result is a gelatinous brown substance that is between 70 and 90 percent THC - much stronger than regular marijuana and much more expensive.

Robinson was arrested along with his sons, Alexander Jordan Robinson, 21, and Zachary Ryan Robinson, 19.

In Alexander Robinson’s bedroom police found marijuana pipes, bongs, Dab, a scale, a vacuum sealer and $2,500 in cash.

In Zachary Robinson's bedroom police found Marijuana, marijuana pipes, Dab and $6,900 in cash.

Police also found a 9mm handgun and a vial containing a white substance that field-tested positive for cocaine in their father’s bedroom.

James Robinson - who goes by 'Wes' - was facing 25 years in prison for his charges, but the prosecution recommended a non-prison sentence as a result of the plea deal.

The agreement also guarantees that Robinson won’t face a federal criminal indictment related to drug manufacturing or drug and firearms possession.

Robinson's sons also agreed to plea deals on Friday, pleading guilty to second-degree felony operation of a clandestine lab and third-degree felony drug possession with intent to distribute.

They too were recommended non-prison sentences. All three will be sentenced on February 3.

Original report here

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