Man Charged in Sales of Heroin at Temple
A 48-year-old Thai man pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of selling heroin at the Wat Thai Buddhist Temple, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Tanat Yuvavanich, identified as an occasional Los Angeles resident, may face up to 120 years in prison and $6 million in fines, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office.
Trial was set for Dec. 5.
Mrozek said temple officials have not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Wat Thai Buddhist officials were unaware of the charges, a temple spokesman said.
Yuvavanich, also known as Mekpongsatorn Boonsong, was arrested earlier this month following a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Yuvavanich allegedly sold a total of 2 pounds of heroin to an undercover agent three different times since last July, Mrozek said.
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