Booking Photo of Fifth Suspect in Marijuana Dispensary Arrests Released

A booking photo was released Thursday of a fifth suspect arrested Tuesday during a multi-agency task force crackdown on Beaumont's only known marijuana dispensary.

Art Day Moreno, 39, of Yucaipa was arrested Tuesday along with Nicole Ward, 19, of Beaumont; Jae Hoon John Sihn, 24, of Cherry Valley; Sara Lynn Mudd, 21, of Yucaipa; and Arlene Roseanna Soto, 21, of Beaumont.

Searches of five locations and the arrests Tuesday concluded a seven-month investigation of Oak Tree Alternative Care at 257 E. 6th St., said Brian Link, commander of the Allied Riverside Cities Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Investigators determined the business was operating outside the scope of California Senate Bill 420, known as the Medical Marijuana Program Act, and Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, Link said in a statement.

A search warrant was secured for five locations associated with the business, including residences for the owner and managers of the Oak Tree Alternative.

According to Link, searches occurred at Oak Tree Alternative, in the 39000 block of Grand Avenue in Cherry Valley, the 1000 block of Massachusetts Avenue in Beaumont, the 33000 block of Old Trail in Yucaipa, and the 33000 block of Yucaipa Boulevard in Yucaipa.

Two of the residential locations had illegal marijuana grows inside the homes, Link said. Seized during the searches were processed marijuana, hashish, business documents, and other evidence of illegal sales and use of marijuana, Link said.

All the arrested persons were charged with conspiracy and possession of marijuana for sales, Link said. They were booked at Larry Smith D. Correctional Facility in Banning, Link said.

Link is with the Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Beaumont police Chief Frank Coe said.

Moreno, Ward, Sinh, and Soto were released Wednesday on $5,000 bail each, according to inmate records. Mudd was also released Wednesday, on unspecified bail.