- Lake County News reports
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Detectives arrest seven, seize large amounts of cash and marijuana
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force Sunday morning resulted in seven arrests, the seizure of 253 pounds of processed marijuana and $10,000 in cash.
Arrested were 51-year-old Wayne Edward Driskell of Upper Lake, 35-year-old Joseph Edward Menan of Lakeport, 35-year-old Phillip Adam Petty of Kelseyville, 38-year-old Jeremy Michael Dowdy of Lakeport, 24-year-old Katherine Ava Morrow of Philadelphia, 32-year-old Thaddaeus James Gunther of Upper Lake and 32-year-old Brian Edward Hall of Madison, Va.
Last Saturday, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for the residence and property located in the 10000 block of Witter Springs Road in Witter Springs, which they served at 7:15 a.m. the following morning, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
When narcotics detectives entered the residence, they located and detained Driskell, along with 42-year-old Joan Marie Villines of Witter Springs, Brooks said.
During a search of the property, detectives located and detained six subjects who were inside a barn. Also inside the barn was a large marijuana processing station. Brooks said detectives located 27 growing marijuana plants on the property and evidence that much more had already been processed.
Driskell told detectives that he had leased the marijuana grow site and the barn to an unknown male subject for $10,000 at the beginning of the grow season. Brooks reported that Driskell said none of the marijuana in the orchard or the barn belonged to him, nor did he know any of the subjects inside the barn.
Villines denied knowing any of the subjects who were growing marijuana on the property. Brooks said she also denied having any information about Driskell leasing the property to someone else so they could grow marijuana.
Detectives said when they entered the barn they located a room on the second floor which had been completely transformed into a marijuana processing station. Brooks said the room included drying lines, circular multi-level drying trays and shelves which held numerous one pound bags of marijuana.
Brooks said detectives interviewed the six subjects who were located and detained from inside the barn – Menan, Petty, Dowdy, Morrow, Gunther and Hall.
All of the subject’s statements appeared to be similar, Brooks said. They were brought to the property or asked to assist with the processing of marijuana.
Driskell was arrested for the cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and conspiracy. Dowdy was arrested for the cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. Menan, Petty, Morrow, Gunther and Hall were arrested for the cultivation of marijuana, according to Brooks.
Brooks said all of the subjects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Due to several juvenile children being present at the residence, narcotics detectives elected not to arrest Villines at that time.
Detectives continued their search of Driskell and Villines’ residence. Brooks said they searched a bedroom which was identified as belonging to Driskell and located a hidden compartment in one of the walls.
Inside the compartment they located $10,000 in US currency, all in $50 denominations. Brooks said the currency was seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings.
The processed marijuana seized from the property had a gross weight of 253.5 pounds, Brooks said. Detectives also seized the 27 mature marijuana plants from the orchard grow site and an additional 13 mature marijuana plants from behind the Driskell residence.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.