SEATTLE — A Seattle man who ran marijuana growing operations in five Snohomish County houses has been sentenced to 7½ years in prison.

Three employees of 36-year-old Jerry R. Berkey were sentenced to lesser terms Thursday in U.S. District Court.

According to court filings, more than 4,000 pot plants were grown in the houses in Everett, Lynnwood and Edmonds over the past five years.

Berkey pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

At sentencing, Judge Marsha J. Pechman said he took advantage of people who “had addictions or were down on their luck.”

She went on to scold him, “You haven’t earned a decent living legally in years. What did you tell your kids when you came home? ‘Daddy’s had a tough day at the grow?'"