Batavia man charged with growing pot

A 22-year-old Batavia man was in jail Tuesday on charges he grew and possessed hundreds of grams of marijuana.

Kurtis J. Nelson, of the 200 block of Spring Street, is charged with several drug-related offenses, including production of five to 20 cannabis plants. He also is charged with possession and manufacturing or delivery of 500 to 2,000 grams of marijuana and manufacturing or distributing a look-alike substance.

Batavia Police Deputy Chief Gregory Thrun said police were called to Nelson's rental unit late Monday after the landlord went in to check on a barking dog and "observed some stuff he knew wasn't right."

"He immediately left and notified the police," Thrun said. "We were able to draft a search warrant."

Thrun said officers returned and confiscated 1,600 grams of marijuana altogether. He did not immediately have an estimated street value.

If convicted of the most serious charge, Nelson could be sentenced to three to seven years in prison or probation. He is set to appear April 9 before Kane County Judge James C. Hallock.

Bail information was not immediately available.