Des Plaines man arrested for growing pot in warehouse

Two men, including one from Des Plaines, are charged with attempting to grow more than 1,000 marijuana plants in a Rockford warehouse.

Jeremiah N. Clement, 37, of Des Plaines, was arrested Wednesday after a grand jury indicted him Tuesday. He is awaiting extradition from Connecticut, authorities said.

Clement's charges stem from the aftermath of a January fire at a Rockford warehouse that authorities say was sparked by a malfunction of equipment used to help grow marijuana plants indoors.

Also charged was George H. Bacus, 51, of Niles. Prosecutors said Bacus initially bought the warehouse in 2013, and for the next two years he and Clement grew marijuana there. Clement was attempting to purchase the warehouse when it was destroyed in the fire, authorities said.

Two other men, Yousif Y. Pira, 62, of Chicago, and Justin T. Paglusch, 33, of Ingleside, are also facing charges, but remain at large, authorities said.

If convicted, Clement and Bacus face 10 years in prison.