By ALLISON WOOD

Staff Writer

CLEVELAND — A Montville Township man who pleaded guilty to his involvement in a multi-state marijuana distribution ring was sentenced Monday to 5½ years in federal prison.

Federal records show:

Gary Turner, 44, formerly of 4520 Sharon Copley Road, was indicted earlier this year for his role in storing and distributing marijuana in the Cleveland area.

He stored the marijuana at the home of co-defendant Robert Koziol, of 3052 Hamilton Road, Medina Township, and also rented a storage locker at Route 18 Mini Storage, 1955 Medina Road, Granger Township.

Turner pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and two counts of money laundering.

Turner’s Sharon Copley Road property, about $80,000 in cash found at the residence and on him and two pickup trucks were seized as part of his sentence.

Koziol, 47, was sentenced to two years in prison earlier this month after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. His property was seized as part of his sentence.

The leader of the ring, Lawrence Fassler, 66, of Tucson, Ariz., was sentenced Monday to 11 years in prison by U.S. District Judge James Gwin in Cleveland.

He is also the author of the book “Busted by the Feds,” a manual for individuals facing federal criminal charges, a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Eleven individuals were indicted and sentenced for their involvement in the conspiracy, the statement said.

Federal officials, including agents from the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration participated in the investigation along with local agencies.

Wood may be reached at 330-721-4050 or allisonwood@ohio.net.