Detroit man charged $2,000 a day to marijuana distributor

Federal agents arrested a Michigan man who set up a vending machine outside his home, where he earned $2,000 a day selling marijuana.

A lawsuit filed in federal court by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) claims Marcellus Cornwell had a vending machine bolted outside his Detroit home selling marijuana and pills.

Cornwell’s home was raided on March 16, where he told officers he had been earning up to $2,000 a day for four years, or more than $1.5 million a year.

The vending machine was open to the public and accepted credit cards and even Apple Pay.

“I have to say the impudence was shocking,” said ATF special agent Manager Paul Vanderplow.

ATF officers had watched Cornwell’s home and purchased marijuana from the vending machine twice, once in February and once in March, according to the complaint.

Weapon costs also added

In addition to the marijuana charges, Cornwell faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. ATF officers seized 18 firearms and ammunition from his home during their raid and claimed Cornwell was selling firearms outside his home, possibly to minors.

Cornwell has served time in prison for prior convictions including: armed robbery, identity theft and several crimes committed with firearms.

Cornwell was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond and terms that include travel restrictions, reporting requirements, and other limitations, such as a ban on using its vending machine.

“Whether it’s snacks you plan to put in your house or on the side of your house with the vending machine, don’t do it,” U.S. District Judge Jonathan JC Gray ordered Cornwell during his initial trial on April 28. appearance. “This is a unique case that has come to the attention of the court and the court is concerned about the ease with which you allegedly supplied narcotics to others.”

As medicinal and recreational marijuana becomes more legal in states across the country, it will be interesting to see not if, but when marijuana vending machines start popping up like Cornwell’s.