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| Wednesday,
February 27, 2008 Indoor pot farm busted in Miltona A Miltona couple is in custody after authorities found a marijuana growing operation in the basement of their home. Charges were filed Wednesday for Ross Douglas Range, 30, and Bonnie Jean Thompson, 36, who, as of Wednesday, are being held in the Douglas County Jail. Range was charged with one count of a felon in possession of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine. He possessed a firearm within 10 years of being convicted of the crime of terroristic threats, a crime of violence in the state of Minnesota. He was also charged with one count of controlled substance crime in the fifth degree, possession. This means Range possessed more than 42.5 grams of marijuana in Douglas County. This carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Thompson was charged with one count of controlled substance in the fifth degree, possession, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. On Tuesday, February 12, a search warrant was executed at the Miltona residence located at 20325 Primrose Road NE around 10:30 a.m. The warrant was issued after the West Central Minnesota Narcotics Task Force received information that there was an indoor marijuana growing operation at the above address, along with several firearms. During the search, authorities found 87 "healthy and well-cared for" marijuana plants in various stages of growth in the basement of the couple's home, according to Douglas County Sheriff Troy Wolbersen. Sizes of plants ranged from approximately 3 inches to 3 feet. Along with the marijuana growing operation, authorities found 15 firearms, including seven rifles, four shotguns and four pistols. Charges may be enhanced because of the weapons found in the home, he said. Wolbersen said in a phone interview Wednesday morning, "This was one of the larger indoor marijuana growing operations we've seen in a number of years." Because the price of marijuana varies, Wolbersen said it would be hard to put an estimated value to the plants. He said if they had grown to maturity, the product from the marijuana plants, if sold on the street, could have been worth in excess of $350,000. The search warrant was executed by the Douglas County SWAT Team, which consists of Douglas County sheriff's deputies and Alexandria police officers. The Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension also assisted the West Central Minnesota Narcotics Task Force. Because weapons were found at the residence, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will be reviewing the case. Bail for both parties was set Wednesday afternoon following their first court appearance in Douglas County District Court. Thompson's was set at $1,000 cash or a $25,000 bond while bail for Range was set at $40,000 cash or $500,000 bond. ~ Reprinted with permission of the Alexandria Echo Press |