A former Stamford resident has pleaded guilty to money laundering in federal court in connection with a large-scale marijuana trafficking operation.
Delroy Anderson, also known as “Max,” 57, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder monetary instruments before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport on Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Between 2015 and 2019, Anderson reportedly ran marijuana cultivation farms in Santa Rosa, California, and Willits, California, where he employed individuals to grow, harvest, package and ship marijuana for distribution in Connecticut, Virginia, New York and elsewhere, according to court records.
Court records show that for approximately five years, Anderson reportedly conspired with others to launder proceeds from the marijuana trafficking operation “by paying for marijuana cultivation, package shipping, electricity, and air travel expenses with the proceeds.”
According to court records, he also deposited money into multiple bank accounts under the name Maximillion Enterprises Inc., and structured the deposits “to evade reporting requirements under federal law.”
In February 2020, Anderson, along with Kelvin Jackson and Stephanie Atkinson, were charged with various money laundering offenses, officials said.
On Feb. 18, 2022, Anderson, who had been released on bond, was scheduled to appear before Dooley for a guilty plea proceeding when he failed to appear and ceased contact with his attorney and the U.S. Probation Office, according to officials.
On Nov. 8, 2023, Anderson was located and arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Dallas, Texas. He has been detained since his arrest and is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 16, official said.
Anderson’s charge carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison. He also agreed to forfeit his interest in multiple bank accounts associated with the charged conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Jackson, of Bristol, Virginia, and Atkinson, of Stamford, previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and are await sentencing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.