DA: Plea agreement reached in record-breaking case

By Jamie Nash
June 1, 2009

CONROE- An East Montgomery County resident and business owner whose arrest yielded the biggest cash and property seizure in the county’s history will not fight the charges against him, according to District Attorney Brett Ligon.

Michael Glenn Anderson, 44, pleaded guilty to first-degree felony charges of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and money laundering greater than $200,000, both of which carried possible sentences of five to 99 years or life in prison. Instead, Anderson agreed to a 10 year sentence in the Texas Department of Corrections and forfeiture of his assets, including his home, $270,000, Harley Davidson motorcycle and Lexus SUV.

An older model pickup Anderson owns was returned along with contents of his home such as clothing. Ligon said Anderson’s parents were contacted and retrieved his person effects. The other items will be liquidated, and the money used to fight crime in Precinct 4.

“I’m ecstatic to turn the proceeds over to law enforcement,” Ligon said.

Precinct 4 Constable Rowdy Hayden said Anderson’s arrest and forfeiture agreement should serve as a warning to others.

“There’s no way to sugar coat it, Hayden said, “That’s the price you pay for living that lifestyle.”

He further stated he hoped Anderson would get the help he needed and become a productive citizen after his release.

Deputies with the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office first arrested Anderson on April 23 at his home, located at 17205 Misty Lake Point in the North Crest Ranch subdivision off of SH 242 near US 59.

While investigating an anonymous tip, Pct. 4 deputies found Anderson with around 15 grams of crack cocaine in plain view, then obtained a search warrant and discovered around 2 kilos of cocaine inside the residence.

Anderson was jailed on the possession of a controlled substance charge and many of his valuable belongings were seized. The same evening, investigators obtained warrants for his accounts and safety deposit boxes at Chase Bank. Inside one of his safety deposit boxes, investigators found and seized $270,000 in $100 bill.

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