Maybe a better title for his occupation would be reefer-ee.
Josh Rosenthal, a veteran MMA ref who has worked dozens of high-profile UFC fights, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute, acccording to MMAjunkie.com. Last year, federal agents raided Rosenthal’s Oakland, Calif., warehouse where they found 1,356 marijuana plants – a street value that was estimated at more than $6 million, according to documents obtained by the website from the U.S. District Attorney’s office in Oakland.
Rosenthal is due in U.S. District Court on May 17 for sentencing. The government is recommending 37 months in jail, fines and five years of probation, during which he’d be subject to random searches, according to the agreement documents. If he didn’t plead guily, Rosenthal faced 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and a minimum of five years probation.
The biggest fight Rosenthal officiated might have been the UFC 116 main event between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin when he was praised for his restaint in not calling the fight in the first round when Lesnar was being pummelled.
Rosenthal agreed to a plea deal in January. He did not respond to MMAjunkie.com’s request for comment.
