John Robert “Johnny” Boone, the former leader of the “Cornbread Mafia,” operators of the largest marijuana ring in U.S. history, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison on Thursday.
Boone, 74, commonly known as the “Godfather of Grass,” admitted to authorities that in May 2008, in Washington County, “he conspired with other persons to possess more than 1,000 marijuana plants, intending to cultivate and grow the plants and distribute the marijuana when the plants were harvested,” according to a statement from the Western District of Kentucky’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In 1989, the Cornbread Mafia, comprised of dozens participants, mostly Kentuckians, produced $350 million in marijuana seized in nine states, including Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota, where a huge marijuana grow operation was based.
In total, 182 tons of marijuana were seized at 29 grow sites, and 64 Kentucky residents were charged, including 49 Marion County residents.
Boone famously fled the country in 2008, and after eight years on the run, where he was documented as living in at least one tropical location, was captured in December 2016 outside Montreal.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
