Large Dakota County pot bust leads to nine-year prison sentence

An Inver Grove Heights man was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in prison in connection with one of the largest marijuana busts in Dakota County history.

The Dakota County Drug Task Force found more than 14 pounds of marijuana in Scott B. Cunningham's home in 2011, along with seven guns. About three weeks later the officers got an anonymous tip that they missed a secret room in Cunningham's house where more drugs were stashed.

A second search revealed another 377 pounds of marijuana in plastic tubs behind a false wall.

The street value of all the marijuana is estimated to be more than $1 million, according to a news release from the Dakota County attorney's office.

Cunningham, 45, and Brian L. Speldrick, 59, were charged with first-degree possession and first-degree possession with intent to distribute. Speldrick had been living in Cunningham's home in the 9200 block of Inver Grove Trail when the drugs were found. The judge sentenced Speldrick to two years of probation.

Two women who had been living in Cunningham's home faced similar charges, but the charges were later dismissed.

"This case involved one of the largest marijuana seizures in our county's history," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said in a statement. "We are pleased to have brought this defendant to justice in this case."

Jessie Van Berkel