Man gets probation for growing marijuana
A Beach Park man was placed on probation for two years Tuesday after he admitted he ran a marijuana growing operation out of a friend's home.
Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak also ordered Robert Turner, 30, to pay a $2,800 fine and perform 120 hours of community service.
Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day said Turner, of the 38000 block of Sheridan Road, was arrested April 29 when Lake County Sheriff's police raided a house in the 12000 block of Wall Avenue in Waukegan Township.
Inside the house, police found 20 large marijuana plants, about 11 pounds of dried marijuana and an assortment of drug paraphernalia.
A portable greenhouse, grow lights, fertilizer and other items related to the growing operation were also seized.
Day said Turner admitted the operation was his and that the owner of the house, Edward Kreye, 32, was simply letting Turner use his property to grow the plants.
Kreye pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana on June 25 and was placed on probation for one year.
Turner pleaded guilty Tuesday to unlawful production of marijuana and could have faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted.