Kane Co. man charged with growing pot

Nearly 100 marijuana plants were recovered in St. Charles Township this week after police executed a search warrant on the 900 block of Lexington Avenue, authorities said Friday.

It was the second example of indoor cannabis cultivation uncovered by the Kane County Sheriff's Department in less than a week, officials said.

"The plants were at various stages of growth, from full-grown and ready to cultivate to seedlings," Lt. Pat Gengler said.

Timothy M. Dell, 29, was arrested at the scene and charged with cannabis production, police said. He remained in the county jail Friday with bond set at $100,000; there was no attorney listed for him in court records.

Gengler said deputies carried out the search Wednesday at Dell's residence, seizing 96 plants. He declined to discuss further details.

Dell's arrest came just days after Kane County officers uncovered another marijuana-growing operation in St. Charles Township.

The earlier seizure happened Sunday when police went to question a suspected hit-and-run driver and discovered he was growing marijuana at his home on the 6N400 block of Route 25, police said.

The suspect and his roommate then led police to an outdoor grow site elsewhere in St. Charles Township, where they seized 18 more plants, according to police reports.

Cannabis production is a Class 2 felony with a standard sentencing range of probation to seven years in prison. Dell might be eligible for a lengthier sentence, however, because of his criminal history, which includes prior convictions for burglary, resisting police, driving under the influence and drug paraphernalia possession, court records show. He is scheduled to appear Sept. 10 before Judge James C. Hallock.