Mennonite sentenced in cartel drug deal

In this May 8, 2014 file photo legally-grown marijuana grows at a dispensary in Denver. In what prosecutors called a drug smuggling conspiracy involving Mennonites and a Mexican drug cartel, a Mennonite man was sentenced Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 to 15 months in prison for aiding the movement of tons of marijuana to the U.S. AP

DENVER — In what prosecutors called a drug smuggling conspiracy between Mennonites and a Mexican drug cartel, a man was sentenced to 15 months in prison for aiding the movement of tons of marijuana to the U.S.

Abraham Friesen-Remple is expected to be released later Monday after a judge sentenced him to time served as part of a plea deal he made in October. Prosecutors said he helped the Juarez cartel smuggle drugs in the gas tanks of cars and inside farm equipment.

Mennonite Christians have historical ties to the Amish, radical Protestant reformers originally known as Anabaptists who adopted pacifism and fled persecution in central Europe for North America. Some conservative Mennonite communities still wear traditional dress and avoid modern technologies.

Friesen-Remple was one of seven people indicted Monday, all but one of whom are members of the Mexican Mennonite community.

Authorities said the operation moved to North Carolina after the arrest of a person who ran a Colorado auto body shop involved in the case.

Friesen-Remple pleaded guilty to using a telephone to facilitate the distribution of marijuana.