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Last updated on Tuesday, April 14, 2015
(BEDFORD) - A Bedford man pleaded guilty to growing marijuana Monday afternoon.
44-year-old James Lessig admitted to having 68 marijuana plants growing at his home in the 1800 block of South Leatherwood Road.
Lessig was arrested after Lawrence County police discovered the marijuana plants in June 2014. According to former Sheriff Sam Craig, officers were called to a home after the department received a complaint about a stray dog.
When officers arrived they found 15 potted marijuana plants sitting in front of a garage.
"The plants were in plain sight. At that time the Drug Task Force was contacted and responded," Craig said at the time of the arrest. "The resident refused to give consent to search the property so officers obtained a search warrant."
During the search, officers recovered a total of 68 marijuana plants ranging from starter plants to 5-feet tall.
"They also recovered items for a grow operation," Craig added.
Police arrested Lessig on charges of cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana over 30 grams, reckless possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a common nuisance.
Lessig accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to cultivating marijuana. The other charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to 275 days in jail and given credit for 100 days and fined $368 in court costs. Lessig will spend his remaining time in the Lawrence County Jail.
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