Seattle Man Sentenced for Multiple Marijuana Dispensary Robberies

Washington – A 19-year-old man from the Seattle area was sentenced on October 18, 2024, to 90 months in prison for committing a series of seven armed marijuana dispensary robberies, according to U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Caiden James Charlton was arrested in June 2023 in connection with three of the armed robberies that occurred in May and June 2023. He later pleaded guilty in July 2024, admitting his role in all seven incidents. In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones ordered three years of supervised release following Charlton’s time in custody.

“This defendant, along with his juvenile accomplices, targeted small businesses—marijuana dispensaries—across our region. These armed marijuana dispensary robberies frightened employees by pointing guns and stealing both cash and cannabis products, even taking a safe in one instance,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Such dangerous conduct cannot be tolerated in our community.”

Court records reveal that Charlton admitted to three robberies on May 30, 2023. The first occurred at Herb’s House on NW 65^th Street in Seattle, followed by West Seattle Cannabis, and Hashtag Cannabis on Nickerson Street. On June 10, 2023, Charlton and an accomplice robbed Oz Cannabis on Stone Way in Seattle. The next day, June 11, they targeted Novel Tree MJ in Bellevue, and on June 12, Seaweed Cannabis in Edmonds. The final robbery took place on June 21, 2023, when Charlton and accomplices robbed Dockside Cannabis in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. Surveillance footage linked Charlton to the crimes through his distinctive face tattoos, clothing, and jewelry.

During each robbery, one of the intruders brandished a handgun, demanding that employees open safes or empty the cash registers. In addition to stealing money, the robbers took large amounts of marijuana products. Some dispensaries had time-locked safes that could not be opened, while in one case, the robbers stole the entire safe by removing it from the floor.

The group fled each scene in a getaway car, with two of the vehicles later reported as stolen.

In seeking an eight-year prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg emphasized the severity of Charlton’s actions. “This was an extremely serious offense. Over the course of 30 days, Charlton went on a violent crime spree, robbing seven marijuana dispensaries. He and his accomplices were armed during each robbery, pointing guns directly at the victims. It is fortunate that no one was shot or injured, as similar incidents often result in tragic outcomes when victims act unpredictably or firearms accidentally discharge,” Greenberg wrote in a letter to the court.

Some of the victims of the robberies submitted statements to the court about the emotional and financial toll the crimes had taken on their lives. One business owner shared, “These robberies destroyed the business my wife and I worked to build over nine years. The impact of having armed individuals demand money and products goes far beyond the financial losses.”

This case was thoroughly investigated by the FBI, Seattle Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, and the Sheriffs’ Offices of King County and Snohomish County.

The case was prosecuted by former Assistant United States Attorney Erin H. Becker and Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.