BULLHEAD CITY – A Bullhead City teenager busted for selling marijuana-laced vape products to younger kids faces substantial prison time under terms of a plea agreement entered Tuesday, April 1 at the Law and Justice Center in Kingman.
Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle has broad discretion in range of punishment to consider at an April 30 sentencing hearing for Matthew Swaim, 19. Swaim is eligible for supervised probation but also faces the possibility of up to 17 years at the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Swaim pleaded guilty to two counts reduced to attempted sale or transfer of drugs to minors. Deputy Mohave County attorney Phillip Delgado said the convictions involve Swaim sale of vapes to a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl.
Delgado said investigation of Swaim’s Instagram account revealed incriminating drug transaction communications. The plea deal victims reportedly confirmed vape purchases from Swaim when contacted by police.
Other drug offenses, forgery and a weapons-related charge are dismissed in the plea agreement. Judge Carlisle previously informed the defendant that he could be sentenced to 115 years in prison if convicted of all counts at trial.
Swaim was arrested February 19 following a search of his residence in at 432 Santa Maria Road. Police reports indicate officers seized more than 40 marijuana vape cartridges and other drug related indicia, along with counterfeit currency, a pistol and ammunition.
Police spokesperson Emily Fromelt has said investigators have not yet learned who illegally provided Swaim the drugs, weapon and ammunition. She said investigation is ongoing.
