Vallejo couple indicted on drug charges

Feb. 22-- Feb. 22--A federal grand jury indicted a Vallejo couple on multiple charges Thursday for allegedly distributing and manufacturing methamphetamine inside a building which also houses an eldercare facility the couple owned and operated in Vallejo.

Henry Benson, 37, and Roselle Cipriano, 35, were indicted on five counts of conspiracy to distribute and manufacture methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and a count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California.

Benson was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The couple was arrested about two weeks ago for allegedly running a pill manufacturing operation out of Genesis Care Home, an assisted living facility on the 1100 block of Lewis Avenue.

Federal authorities said when they raided the home on Feb. 7 they discovered, and ultimately seized "a pill press, 31 pounds of methamphetamine pills, 17 pounds of suspected meth, various other powders and manufacturing equipment, and a shotgun within three feet of the pills."

Agents also discovered five pill presses, various hazmat clothing and powder after searching a storage unit the couple rented.

The federal complaint also revealed additional information about the couple's alleged operation.

"They manufactured the pills in various colors and shapes, including the Kool-Aid smiling pitcher, a likeness of President Donald J. Trump's face, the Tesla emblem, and minions," according to the complaint. "Although the pills were sold as MDMA, they were found to contain methamphetamine."

Court records show that Benson has retained Sacramento attorney Olaf William Hedberg. The same records don't list an attorney representing Cipriano.

Cipriano and Benson are currently in custody pending a trial. They each face 10 years to life in federal prison and a $1 million fine, if convicted.

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