Five charged in medical marijuana case heading to trial

(AREA) — The deadline for five people charged in a medical marijuana case, stemming from a federal investigation, will be heading to trial in January after turning down plea deals Monday.

St. Clair County Circuit Court records show that Mark and Terra Sochacki and Debra, Amanda, and James Amsdill turned down the plea offers and will face trial on charges ranging from conducting a criminal enterprise to conspiracy to deliver or manufacture marijuana. Authorities raided Blue Water Compassion Centers in St. Clair County’s Kimball Township, Tuscola County’s Denmark Township, and Sanilac County’s Worth and Lexington Townships back in December 2011, citing drug law violations. In July 2013 a judge dismissed the charges. Attorney General Bill Schuette appealed and the court of appeals overturned the ruling in 2014. Reports say a trial date has been set for January 26 with an evidentiary hearing set for November 24 to hear a motion claiming all five defendants were entrapped by investigators.