Kankakee man accused of growing $3M in marijuana

URBANA, - A Kankakee man has pleaded not guilty to federal charges he was growing $3 million worth of marijuana plants at a warehouse in Bradley.

David A. Neblock, 37, was arraigned Monday on charges of manufacturing 791 cannabis plants, filing false tax returns and falsifying income to obtain a home mortgage, The (Kankakee) Daily Journal reported. He was arrested Thursday, more than a year after authorities raided the warehouse.

"We have seen outdoor grows with more plants, but this is a significant arrest and seizure and a large amount of cannabis for our area," said Aaron Harsy, Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group director.

A magistrate judge ordered Neblock released from custody when his home is outfitted with a home detention system. He will be in home detention until the completion of his trial.

Neblock's attorney, Steven Hunter of Chicago, said his client shouldn't be kept in custody.

"He was not trying to hide or be a fugitive," Hunter said. "Throughout this case there is no evidence of firearms at all, and he did not resist arrest. He isn't violent."