Two Troy women plead guilty in marijuana trafficking scheme

Two Troy women have admitted to participating in a nationwide marijuana trafficking scheme.

LaFay Pearson, aka “Lala,” 23, and Alyssa June White, 31, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Thursday to being part of an organization that cultivated marijuana on a commercial scale in Fresno, California. Thousands of kilograms of marijuana and THC was shipped from there to locations throughout the United States including the Capital Region.

Pearson admitted that between May 2020 and January 2021, she received 11 packages that had around 159 pounds of marijuana. She repackaged the marijuana for sale, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Pearson received between $300 and $400 per package received.

Pearson worked with her brother, Isiah Ti-Quan Clements, in the operation, prosecutors said. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million when sentenced.

White admitted to laundering the proceeds of the sales by purchasing cashier’s checks. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

Prosecutors said she conspired with Dwight Singletary, David Singletary, and Lawrence Mumphrey. Those three men have pleaded not guilty and their cases are pending.

A dozen other defendants in the case have already pleaded guilty.