4 men plead not guilty to roles in assault

A medical marijuana provider charged along with three others for assaulting a man they believed stole marijuana from his business had more than six times as much of the drug as he was allowed, Ravalli County investigators allege.

Officers investigating the May 4 beating of Beau Miller, 22, of Stevensville, found nine pounds of marijuana, five pounds of marijuana-laced food products and over $49,000 in cash in the business, home and vehicle belonging to Tracy A. Moser, 44, of Stevensville. As a licensed caregiver, he was allowed to possess 1.5 pounds of marijuana.

Moser — along with Jesse Shoup, 26, of Victor, and Kory Gassmann, 31, and Jason Weis, 35, of Hamilton — is charged with conspiracy to commit assault with a weapon, intimidation, assault with a weapon and aggravated assault. All four pleaded not guilty Wednesday before District Judge Jeffrey Langton.

Moser is also charged with two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intention to distribute.

Langton required Moser, Gassmann and Weis to relinquish their medical marijuana caregiver cards until the court proceedings are completed.

Gassmann and Weis own a Hami l ton business cal led GrowSmart, which court documents say is a medical marijuana support business.

Weis is also charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute for allegedly giving a bag of marijuana to a 19-year-old man who did not have a medical marijuana card. A search of Weis' truck found a bag under the seat with $19,550 in cash, four baggies of marijuana and a .22-caliber pistol, authorities said.

Moser and Weis also face charges of use of property subject to forfeiture.

Shoup is a disabled Iraq war veteran whom court documents say lured Miller to the scene of the beating after being confronted by Moser about the burglary at the John Stone Foundation. Shoup is also charged with burglary and receipt of stolen property for allegedly breaking into Moser's business.

Miller is charged with criminal distribution of drugs, possession of stolen property and partner/family member assault for allegedly beating his girlfriend on May 2. A burglary charge previously filed against Miller was dropped. Miller's initial appearance was delayed because of a scheduling conflict for his attorney.