Published: March 24, 2011

http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2011/03/24/73296/

BELTON - A 20-year-old Temple man accused of selling marijuana out of his home near Pirtle Elementary and Lake Belton Middle School faces an indictment on money-laundering charges.

A Bell County grand jury returned the indictment Wednesday.

Mathew Brian Guzman could face up to two years in state jail if convicted on the charge.

Police found evidence Guzman was selling and possibly growing marijuana out of a house in the 8500 block of Oak Crossing.

Police became aware Guzman might be involved in illegal activity in February. District Attorney Henry Garza would not comment about what made police suspicious about Guzman other than to say it was "good, solid police work."

On March 3, officers secured a search warrant and found 19 grams of marijuana in Guzman's room at the house and his car.

Police could have charged Guzman with marijuana possession, a misdemeanor based on the amount seized, but chose instead to charge Guzman with money laundering, which carries a stiffer penalty.

Garza explained that money laundering is a charge that can be considered when it can be proven that currency was gained through criminal activity.