3 Calif. men plead guilty to trafficking

11/29/2012

Three California men have entered pleas in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on drug charges resulting from a stop on the Ohio Turnpike.

Jonathan Soeun, 20, and Da Seth, 25, both of Stockton, Calif., and Walter Rath, 21, of West Sacramento each pleaded guilty Monday to trafficking in marijuana. They each face up to 1½ years in prison when sentenced Dec. 10 by Judge Ruth Ann Franks.

Authorities said the men were stopped by the Ohio Highway Patrol at 8:33 a.m. Sept. 18 on a violation of following too closely. After observing “criminal indicators,” troopers called in a drug-sniffing dog.

Troopers reported they found 65 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $416,000, hidden inside the car.