Pierce County Man Charged With Drug Manufacturing, Illegal Gun Possession

A Pierce County man was arrested late Wednesday following his indictment last week for manufacturing marijuana, and two counts for discharging and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug crime, according to U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. 

On Dec. 6, 2012, Jeremy Peter Capodanno fatally shot two men who had broken into the garage of his Puyallup-area residence in the 5900 block of 132nd Street East. 

The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office later reported that the men died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head.

When Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found marijuana grow with nearly 200 plants in the garage loft.

They also found Capodanno, 36, in possession of a Glock 17, 9mm semiautomatic pistol, which is the gun that police accuse Capodanno used to kill the two men. 

While searching Capodanno’s truck, police found other weapons including a Bushmaster XM-15 Rifle; an Intratec Tec-9 9mm pistol; a Benelli 12 gauge shotgun; and a Professional Ordinance MDL Carbon 15. 

Capodanno is expected to make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

“This defendant chose to enter the illegal drug business, and armed himself to protect his trade, not his home,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. “His conduct brought thieves to his door, put his 7-year-old son at risk, and ended with him taking two lives.”

The indictment charges Capodanno with manufacturing marijuana because of the large grow operation found in the loft of his garage. He is also charged with carrying the Glock and firing it in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime and is charged in the third count for possessing the four other weapons. 

The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which means the government will seek to forfeit property that the Grand Jury has alleged was used in commission of the crimes or was purchased with marijuana proceeds. 

These properties include the defendant’s house near Puyallup, where the where the shooting occurred, as well as a second house in Kent, along with a 2008 Mercedes and a 2008 Toyota pickup truck. The government is also seeking to forfeit the guns used in the crime.

Manufacturing marijuana is punishable by five to 40 years in prison. If convicted of all charges, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.