Zachary Scott Nutt, also known as “Tuna,” 35, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Sedalia, Mo., and Nicholas Anders Glaholt, 34, of Independence, Mo., were charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces federal criminal complaints that were filed against Nutt and Glaholt on June 14, 2017.
The federal indictment alleges that Nutt and Glaholt participated in a conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana in Pettis, Cooper, Boone, Morgan, Pulaski and Jackson counties from Oct. 5, 2001, through June 13, 2017.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Nutt and Glaholt – who have leadership roles in the conspiracy – obtained marijuana from multiple sources, including a grow operation in California. They have directly supervised and executed the transportation and distribution of the marijuana obtained from California, the affidavit says. Business and financial records establish that, since early 2010, Nutt and Glaholt have travelled between California and Missouri on commercial flights and/or in rented vehicles.
On Aug. 18, 2016, the affidavit says, investigators seized approximately eight pounds of marijuana supplied by the defendants and others. On Nov. 6, 2016, investigators seized approximately 40 pounds of marijuana supplied by the defendants and others. On Nov. 7, 2016, investigators seized approximately four pounds of marijuana supplied by the defendants and others. On Dec. 15, 2016, investigators seized approximately four pounds of marijuana supplied by the defendants and others.
According to the affidavit, investigators learned that another person transported approximately $73,700 to Nutt for the purchase of marijuana in California for distribution in Missouri. On April 5, 2017, investigators in California observed Nutt loading a vehicle with what was believed to be marijuana. On April 8, 2017, Nutt flew back to Kansas City and Glaholt picked him up at Kansas City International Airport. Nutt and Glaholt drove directly to Glaholt’s residence, where the “load” vehicle arrived from California shortly thereafter. On June 5, 2017, investigators seized approximately 11 pounds of marijuana supplied by the defendants and others. A person arrested by investigators in the aftermath of the seizure of marijuana reported that the person had received approximately 440 kilograms of marijuana from Nutt over a period of approximately two years.
Nutt and Glaholt were arrested on June 13, 2017. Glaholt was found to be in possession of approximately two pounds of marijuana in his vehicle. Nutt was in possession of approximately two ounces of marijuana in his vehicle.
Law enforcement officers executed search warrants at Glaholt’s residence and another residence in Kansas City, Mo., on June 13, 2017. At Glaholt’s residence they seized approximately $20,000 believed to be drug proceeds, several individual packages of marijuana, marijuana wax, digital scales, vacuum sealers, ledgers, computers, tablets and notes. At the Kansas City residence investigators seized approximately 261 pounds of marijuana (including packaging), cell phones, digital scales, drug packaging equipment, eight empty duffel bags, .22-caliber ammunition and drug ledgers from a safe.
Today’s indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Nutt and Glaholt to forfeit to the government $7 million, which represents the total amount of money involved in the conspiracy.
Larson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt.
This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Sedalia, Mo., Police Department, the Cooper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the East Central Drug Task Force and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
